[ilbegone]

Man whose beating by SB police was caught on videotape is released from custody

Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
10/24/2009

SAN BERNARDINO - The barbershop owner who was the subject of a videotaped police beating was released from custody Friday, according to the lawyer who is representing his longtime girlfriend.

Darren Johnson, 43, who was struck repeatedly with a baton while being arrested at a 7-Eleven on Monday night, was at home recovering as of Saturday, said Gary Wenkle Smith, a San Bernardino attorney.

Smith said sheriff's deputies went into Johnson's room at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center on Friday and told him since no charges had been filed by the district attorney's office that he was being released from custody.

Cindy Beavers, public information officer for the sheriff's department, said if time is up for someone in custody and the district attorney has not filed charges, it's their responsiblity to release the person.

Because of the extent of Johnson's injuries, including a broken right hand and bruises and cuts from head to toe, he remained in the hospital Friday night and was taken home by Smith on Saturday morning, the lawyer said.

Johnson was booked Thursday morning into the jail ward at Arrowhead on suspicion of resisting arrest, transportation of cocaine and possession of cocaine.

Bail was set at $50,000.

He was arrested in the parking lot at the 7-Eleven at Highland and Mountain View avenues after allegedly running a stop sign on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

San Bernardino police say he was uncooperative and hit one of the officers, sparking a struggle that was taped by two witnesses on their cell phones.

The district attorney's office could still file charges, said Smith.

http://www.sbsun.com/search/ci_13635405