The transcript is a summary of an episode from the show "Audit the Audit" where Jeremiah Payne, a First Amendment auditor, was physically assaulted by Metro Nashville Police Department detective William Thorogood. The incident occurred when Payne and his family were walking in a neighborhood in Springfield, Tennessee, and accidentally dropped a bag of candy in front of Thorogood's home. Thorogood, who was off duty at the time, believed the bag was trash, flashed his badge, and asked Payne to pick it up. Payne asked for Thorogood's name and badge number, then began recording the interaction.
Thorogood became aggressive, put Payne in handcuffs, and claimed he was going to arrest him. Payne and his family were eventually released, but the incident was captured on video. Payne later posted the video on his YouTube channel, which led to a grand jury hearing the case against Thorogood for two counts of felony aggravated assault. However, the grand jury declined to indict on both charges. Payne intends to pursue civil legal action against the Springfield and Nashville police departments.
The episode concludes with a discussion of the actions of the officers involved and the legal implications of the incident. The episode was produced by Auditors of America and aired on Freedom's Channel.
1. The incident occurred in Springfield, Tennessee.
2. The victim, Jeremiah Payne, was walking with his family when they accidentally dropped a bag of candy in front of the home of Metro Nashville Police Department detective William Thorogood.
3. Detective Thorogood, who was off duty at the time, mistook the bag of candy for trash and asked the family to pick it up.
4. When Payne asked for his name and badge number, Thorogood flashed his badge and asked them to pick up the bag.
5. Payne recorded the interaction and began to question Thorogood's authority.
6. Thorogood ordered Payne to put his hands behind his back, then threw him to the ground and put his knee on his neck.
7. Payne claimed that Thorogood's actions constituted a misdemeanor assault, as he did not have probable cause.
8. Payne's video of the incident was posted on his YouTube channel, which has also covered the interaction.
9. Payne went to the DA's office to initiate criminal charges against Thorogood.
10. A grand jury heard the case against Thorogood for two counts of felony aggravated assault but declined to indict on both charges.
11. Payne intends to pursue civil legal action against the Springfield and Nashville police departments.
12. Officer John Antonio, who responded to the scene, argued to uphold the law based on the evidence and stood up to several officers who attempted to take Thorogood's side.
13. Officer Ricardo Brown, who also responded to the scene, maintained a professional demeanor throughout the encounter but appeared to be reluctant to arrest Thorogood and actively sought to dissuade Payne from filing charges.
14. Payne's First Amendment auditor status and active YouTube channel were mentioned during the incident.
15. Thorogood apologized to Payne for upsetting his family, but only did so once the other officers informed him that Payne was a First Amendment auditor with an active YouTube channel.
16. Officer Thorogood self-reported the incident to his supervisor and was decommissioned and placed under administrative investigation as a result.
17. As of the date of the episode, no further updates on the investigation have become available.