Roger Alvin Henderson appears to have expressed too much in a traffic stop by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Henderson was stopped by an officer on the grounds that his window tint seemed too dark. It wasn’t, but as he waited (and the officer was speaking to his mother), Henderson relieved himself on the cruiser. Upon returning, the officer asked “did you pee on my car?” He did not like the answer.
A couple of observations that might be mitigating factors. First, Henderson appears to be mumbling when he approached the car that he had to urinate. However, he was made to wait — a difficult thing for some older people.
Second, Henderson immediately told the officer who had told him not to leave the spot. he obeyed the command to the letter but then relieved himself.
Finally, the stop itself is a bit suspicious. There is a long-standing complaint that window tinting is used routinely as an excuse to stop a car and look inside by officers. In this case, Henderson is forced to stand by the cruiser while the officer checks out the car. He notably states immediately upon meeting Henderson’s mother that the tinting is perfectly fine and apologizes.
Henderson was charged with indecent exposure. However, that state law requires not just exposure but exposure in a “vulgar or indecent manner.”
800.03 Exposure of sexual organs.—It is unlawful to expose or exhibit one’s sexual organs in public or on the private premises of another, or so near thereto as to be seen from such private premises, in a vulgar or indecent manner, or to be naked in public except in any place provided or set apart for that purpose. Violation of this section is a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. A mother’s breastfeeding of her baby does not under any circumstance violate this section.
No cars passed on the road that could be seen, though cars nearby could be heard. Henderson appears to be discrete in this act which occurs with a car between him and any onlookers and his back to the officer and his car.
While some reports indicate that Henderson denies the charge, there is also the question of necessity. Yes, private necessity.
He was booked into jail and charged with indecent exposure.
The charges were dropped.
pete999,
NOW I understand the trooper. He thought that the old man was expressing what the general public think of him.
Now streaming globally at http://www.jonathanturley.com. Accessory after the fact, Mr. Turley.
damned car needed pissin on
That was such a dick move by the cop.
Barking Dog,
As GeneH might say: Are you confusing effects (pigs) with the cause (WS)?
The guy needs to demand a jury trial and have the residents of the old farts residence show up en masse. While the trial is going on some of them need to go out to the parking lot and urinate on all the right places out there. ie,, cop cars. Occupy Pigsty! Forget Wallstreet.
This was one case where booking the guy for public indecency was not worth the headache. Give him a warning and kick him loose.
Re moving to get the messages “flowing”,.
Rising up will send a message to the bladder; “how’s it going down there”.
And the up to then sleeping bladder says; “now that you mention it, I’m in a hurrrrrrrrryyyyy!!!!!!
Cops are all crooked, Nowadays!….this was a call of nature!
1) If this P***k was a Man he would have not even Said Anything!
2) I bet if a Women had done the same thing, the P***k, would have Said: “can I help you, miss”
And where does the cop pee when he’s out waiting to stop innocent people for non-existent infractions? You betcha!!
Don’t talk back to them, don’t question them, don’t film them, don’t look sideways at them, and don’t pee on their car. The new face of America’s police…assume the position.
“No cars passed on the road that could be seen,”
Ye olde “if a tree falls in the woods but no-one hears, was there a sound?”
Why didn’t they charge him as a peedohvile?
When the calling calls…. You just gotta go…..
I’m sure the good citizens of Alachua County feel safer now.
No one saw him peeing and we’re looking right at him! The only evidence is wet ground. Did the officer take a sample as evidence? Needless harassment.
I’m one of those elderly codgers who gets the need to pee urgently, to the point of absolute necessity to relieve myself. I don’t know whether it is just me, but the need comes on me when I have had to stand up out of the car, at my destination of for another reason. This instance sounds like an exploratory police stop, perhaps the officer was bored that day and a complete lack of care by the officer that the man had to urinate.
This is a case of driving while black, with a nice car (Caddy I think) and then having made his mistake the officer, then found another way to inflict punishment. Since the officer only looked into the car his having the man stand in back of the patrol car was unreasonable and definitely needless. Finally, indecent exposure I believe is considered a “sex crime” so if convicted does this man now become a “sex offender” to be put on a list? Bad, stupid and arrogant policing once again seems the norm today.
Wonder who gets a promotion/provision/salary increase/money seizure share/merit points for these meritless stops?
I’m reminded of a scene from Driving Miss Daisy.
Hope that Mr. Henderson gets a good jury or an understanding (read elderly) judge.