Surveillance video from Springdale Council’s meeting last month appears contradict borough officials, who say a local man was arrested after he exceeded his allotted time to speak at the meeting and then scuffled with officers trying to remove him.
The video, provided by Allegheny County Chief Public Defender Andy Howard, appears to show William “Danny” Rosenmund, 36, being tackled by police only about 2 1/2 minutes into his comments.
The video does not include audio.
Rosenmund appears to speak for about two minutes before two Springdale officers approach him in the video. About ten seconds later, the video appears to show the officers attempting to wrench Rosenmund from the podium.
After Rosenmund attempts to continue speaking, the video shows one officer force Rosenmund over a chair onto the floor of council chambers around two minutes and 30 seconds into his remarks.
By the three minute and ten second mark, when Rosenmund’s speaking time would have elapsed, the video shows four police officers — including Springdale Police Chief Derek Dayoub — pinning Rosenmund to the floor as they attempt to handcuff him.
Springdale police charged Rosenmund with felony aggravated assault and lesser charges of simple assault, obstructing government, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and disrupting meetings.
While on the ground, police said, Rosenmund was “fighting, kicking, biting and screaming.” The criminal complaint also says he bit Dayoub’s hand during the struggle.
Rosenmund’s preliminary hearing for the charges was scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed at the request of county prosecutors.
Howard said he was prepared to go forward with the hearing, but he said the District Attorney’s office balked, hoping to further examine the case.
Assistant district attorneys at the courthouse declined to comment, and a call to the DA’s office was not immediately returned.
Howard said he had no objection to the postponement.
“I want to give them the space to do the right thing,” he said.
District Judge Michael Girardi granted modifications to Rosenmund’s bond Wednesday that allow him to return to Springdale Council chambers and speak at future meetings.
His new preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5 before Girardi.
Previous videos of the arrest taken by witnesses only began as police were arresting Rosenmund.
A statement released by council and Springdale Mayor Joel Anderson soon after the arrest said those videos did not show the full context of the incident, saying Rosenmund had “failed to comply” as officers attempted to remove him from the podium.
The statement also said Rosenmund, a frequent critic of Springdale police, has a “history with initially failing to abide with the public comment rules.”
“When viewed in its proper context, the response reflects a professional and controlled effort to manage a dynamic situation while ensuring the safety of all individuals involved,” the statement said.
The surveillance video, however, begins while a previous speaker still is at the podium. It shows Rosenmund approach the podium, place what appear to be written notes on the podium and begin speaking.
A Springdale police officer is seen entering the council chambers before Rosenmund begins his remarks. A second officer joins him and both begin to approach Rosenmund from behind about two minutes and 15 seconds into his remarks.
Councilman Dan Copeland declined a TribLive request for comment. Calls to other council members and Anderson were not returned. Dayoub and Springdale Solicitor Craig Alexander also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Later videos taken by witnesses shows three officers carrying Rosenmund in handcuffs from the council chambers to the Springdale police station next door.
He was taken to AHN Harmar hospital after he told police he was having difficulty breathing, the complaint said.
Springdale police Sgt. Paul Perriello also was transported to the hospital for difficulty breathing, bleeding and a possible head injury, and Dayoub was evaluated for injuries to his hand, according to the complaint.
Another video recorded by a witness at the meeting shows police and medics loading Rosenmund into an ambulance. When his wife, Kaitlyn Ockree, approaches the ambulance, Dayoub can be seen yanking her away and shouting for her to “back up.”
After Ockree is informed Rosenmund will be taken to AHN Harmar, Dayoub and another officer can be heard telling Ockree not to come to the hospital.
“You show up down there, you’re going to jail,” Dayoub and the other officer said.
Rosenmund is a frequent speaker at Springdale Council meetings and has recently criticized Springdale police’s decision to enter a 287(g) agreement to assist federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers last fall without a public vote.
He has also directly criticized Dayoub for alleged past misconduct.
Todd Hollis, a Pittsburgh-based civil rights attorney, said he doesn’t currently represent Rosenmund, but he’s investigating the case. He said he believes Rosenmund’s first amendment rights may have been violated, he plans to continue investigating.
“Mr. Rosenmund’s rights have been infringed upon, and he should be supported,” he said.