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Washtenaw Co. prosecutor won't make determination on potential charges against Ypsilanti Twp. couple

Deputy accused of using excessive force during arrest
Posted at 12:17 PM, May 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-27 15:16:26-04

WASHTENAW COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — The Washtenaw County prosecutor will not yet make a determination on potential charges against an Ypsilanti Township couple after a deputy was accused of using excessive force during their arrest.

The Washtenaw County Sheriff's deputy has been placed on administrative leave, according to Sheriff Jerry Clayton.

A protest was held Wednesday afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail regarding the arrest.

The deputy can be seen punching Shatina Grady El multiple times during an arrest on Peachcrest Street in Ypsilanti Township. And when Shatina's husband, Daniel Grady El, tries to help his wife, a deputy uses a Taser on him.

Prosecutors say they want to see body camera footage and other videos before making a decision on potential charges, according to a spokesman for the sheriff's office.

Daniel Grady El is reportedly in the process of being released. His wife is being held for Taylor Police to pick her up on an outstanding warrant.

"She was arrested for no reason. She was beaten for no reason," Jaquisy Diggins told 7 Action News outside her home where the incident took place around 1:30 in the morning. "The officer was yelling and he Tased my father."

Deputies were on the block to investigate a shooting that left a woman with a gunshot wound to her back.

Diggins said deputies surrounded her house and wanted to come in but she said she was worried about a number of children inside with her. She told them through a window that they were at the wrong house, she added.

Shatina and Daniel Grady El live just a few doors down from their daughter and went to see what was happening and began to record on their cell phones.

"They were just standing there and they asked them to back up and I guess they got upset because they didn't remove themselves from recording and that's why they attacked my mom," Diggins said.

In a statement, Sheriff Clayton said deputies were trying to arrest the two when they refused to leave the area where deputies were looking for a shooting suspect.

Sheriff Clayton said the deputy's use of force is also under investigation.