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Arrested teen awaits word on charges
By ADRIENNE P. SAMUELS CLEARWATER -- It's been a little more than a month since Ashley Talley was pulled over a fence at a concert, held by the neck by a police sergeant and arrested on a charge of battery on a law enforcement officer. Talley, 19, is waiting for the State Attorney's Office to finish its investigation of the incident, which was photographed by the St. Petersburg Times, and decide whether or not to formally charge her with the felony. The investigation is routine procedure for anyone arrested and charged with a crime. Talley's attorney, Peter Andrews, hopes the charge is dropped. "I don't really think it's a very good case, really because of that series of pictures printed in the Times," Andrews said. A prosecutor with the State Attorney's Office confirmed that the office was investigating, but declined to comment on the case. Talley, a nursing student from the Largo area, was arrested at a March 8 rap and reggae concert at Coachman Park. Talley was in the front row when she was hauled out of the crowd by Clearwater police Sgt. James Quinlin. Times photos, published March 11, show Quinlin grabbing Talley, hauling her over the metal barricade and passing her off to a medic. Photos then show him exchanging words with Talley before trying to subdue her with a thumb pressed into her neck. Talley said she was trying to get back to her 13-year-old sister, who was being crushed in the crowd of more than 15,000. Talley said she does not remember Quinlin touching her neck. She also said she believes the sergeant used excessive force. Talley has not filed a complaint against the police department. Clearwater officials have said the officer had no choice but to subdue Talley. Quinlin, with the department for 16 years, has numerous commendations in his personnel file.
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
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