Law enforcement has been making headlines across the country as stories are developing of wrongful arrests and forceful actions. The case is the same in Waco, Texas, as 177 people were arrested in regards to the biker brawl that broke out at a Twin Peaks restaurant. With such a large group arrested, it’s making some people question whether members of law enforcement did the right thing.
Purple Heart War Hero Among the Arrested
One man’s family says he was wrongfully accused. Jesus Delgado, a Vietnam war hero who received a Purple Heart, was considered to be a part of the brawl. The only problem is, his family insists he was only present at the time because of a meeting he was attending. He had no plans of criminal activities, and is highly unlikely to participate in anything of that nature.
Detective Behind Bars
Another among the accused is none other than a San Antonio detective. Since he was present during the time of the brawl, and was with his biker friends at the time the fight broke out, he too was taken into custody. With no previous wrongdoings on his record, many are questioning how a detective could be placed in jail with no solid evidence of his participation.
Civil Lawsuit Filed
Matt Clendennen, yet another accused party, has taken matters to court. He filed not only against the offending officers, but also McLennan county, as well as the city of Waco, for letting this happen. He insists that he was not at the restaurant to engage in any criminal activity, and did not participate in any such crimes on the day in question or any other. He informed CNN news reporter Ed Lavandera that he was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and his arrest should never have happened, just like many others on that day.
Battered Business
Clendennen owns a landscaping business and supports his wife and four children. Due to the jail time he faced because of a crime he says he did not commit, his business has been battered and support for his family has been minimized. Not only has he lost money from his working situation, but he had to pay a large sum to get out of jail on bail, diminishing his savings even more.
While he may be out, almost all others are still left behind bars after this disastrous situation. More than 150 bikers were still left in jail by the time Clendennen made bail. They too are losing out on business while many are jailed for crimes they most likely did not commit.
With charges listed as organized crime, and bonds set to $1 million, all those who are innocent are trying their hardest to have this arrest dropped. It is not only affecting their lives, but also the lives of their families who rely on them. If the arresting officers were in fact wrong, the citizens of Waco are hoping the situation will be handled accordingly. With one lawsuit already underway, time will tell soon enough what the truth of the matter is.
