For release on August 23, 2016 CONTACT:
John Chase, Deputy District Attorney
Public Integrity Unit
(408) 792-2595 CORRECTIONS OFFICER CHARGED WITH KICKING INMATE IN HEAD A former Santa Clara County Corrections Officer has been charged with felony assault, based on a 2013 incident in the jail during which the guard repeatedly kicked an inmate in the head as he was being held on the floor by other officers. Timmy Tri, 35, was arrested yesterday and is expected to be arraigned next month at the Hall of Justice on felony charges of assault and battery by an officer and assault with deadly force. It is also alleged that Tri personally inflicted great bodily injury on the inmate. He faces 7 years in prison, if convicted. Prosecutor John Chase said: “Guards sometimes need to use force to subdue an inmate for a variety of reasons, but they must always maintain self-control. There's no justification for kicking an inmate in the head and face while he is pinned to the floor.” This Office first reviewed and rejected this case in 2014. The Sheriff’s Office resubmitted the case this year. The Office decided to file charges after a fresh review generated further information. The incident took place on the fifth floor of the jail on October 3, 2013 after a dispute between the inmate and another corrections officer. A physical altercation ensued. The inmate ended up on the floor. As the inmate was held down by two other officers, Tri – according to other inmates and fellow guards – kicked and punched him in the head repeatedly. None of the inmate witnesses or guards saw any threat to Tri that might justify such force. The inmate required stitches and suffered a fractured bone in his face. # # #
John Chase, Deputy District Attorney
Public Integrity Unit
(408) 792-2595 CORRECTIONS OFFICER CHARGED WITH KICKING INMATE IN HEAD A former Santa Clara County Corrections Officer has been charged with felony assault, based on a 2013 incident in the jail during which the guard repeatedly kicked an inmate in the head as he was being held on the floor by other officers. Timmy Tri, 35, was arrested yesterday and is expected to be arraigned next month at the Hall of Justice on felony charges of assault and battery by an officer and assault with deadly force. It is also alleged that Tri personally inflicted great bodily injury on the inmate. He faces 7 years in prison, if convicted. Prosecutor John Chase said: “Guards sometimes need to use force to subdue an inmate for a variety of reasons, but they must always maintain self-control. There's no justification for kicking an inmate in the head and face while he is pinned to the floor.” This Office first reviewed and rejected this case in 2014. The Sheriff’s Office resubmitted the case this year. The Office decided to file charges after a fresh review generated further information. The incident took place on the fifth floor of the jail on October 3, 2013 after a dispute between the inmate and another corrections officer. A physical altercation ensued. The inmate ended up on the floor. As the inmate was held down by two other officers, Tri – according to other inmates and fellow guards – kicked and punched him in the head repeatedly. None of the inmate witnesses or guards saw any threat to Tri that might justify such force. The inmate required stitches and suffered a fractured bone in his face. # # #