Police deny use of excessive force; suspect now in Nelson County Jail
NC GAZETTE / WBRT RADIO
STAFF REPORT
CHRISTOPHER LITTLE
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, 3:30 p.m. — Internet rumors continue to circulate accusing the Bardstown Police Department of using excessive force in the Wednesday, Jan. 14 arrest of 26-year-old Bardstown resident Christopher Little.
Links to news reports of Little’s arrest — with the assistance of Bardstown Mayor John Royalty — have continued to circulate, along with social media reports that Little remains in intensive care in a Louisville hospital.
“No, he’s right here,” Nelson County Jailer Dorcas Figg told the Nelson County Gazette Wednesday afternoon. “He’s here and has been since Sunday the 18th.”
Little’s saga began when Bardstown Police were dispatched to Hurst Drug Store for a report of a suspicious person. While being questioned, Little fled on foot and was pursued by Officer Nick Houck.
Bardstown Mayor John Royalty was driving nearby and observed the foot pursuit. He stopped his truck and helped Houck take Little into custody.
Police said a medical condition unrelated to Little’s arrest was the reason he was sent to the hospital. Little’s family have told Louisville media they believe he was beaten by police between the time he was arrested near the Court Square to the time he was taken to the Nelson County Jail seven blocks away.
Bardstown Police Chief Rick McCubbin has strongly denied the allegations.
“I can assure you nothing happened on the way to the jail and the video shows him clearly speaking, yelling and being belligerent,” Bardstown Police spokesman Capt. Tom Roby told WHAS TV.
According to Nelson County Jail logs, Little was booked into the jail at 12:38 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18. on charges that include possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and giving an officer a false name or address. Little is also charged with a parole violation.
