Following the chaotic scene on Memorial Day, in which a routine traffic stop by the Selma Police Department (SPD) ended in the tasing and arrest of Selma attorney Brandon Wooten, along with two more arrests that stemmed from a mob scene gathered at the SPD headquarters later, two attorneys are speaking out in defense of Wooten.

Birmingham attorney Richard Jaffe, who is representing Wooten, said that Wooten was “physically accosted” by Selma police officers, who “pulled his shirt over his head and forced him face down to the hard ground” before tasing him “for no reason.”

A freeze-frame of the incident, provided by SPD Chief Spencer Collier, shows an SPD officer lying on the ground with another man bent over him as another SPD officer rushes in to assist – Collier claims the man standing over the fallen officer is Wooten.

“Brandon J. Wooten is a Selma attorney with a spotless reputation,” Jaffe said. “He has lived in Selma his entire life and contributed immeasurably to the legal community and the community at large. He is a devoted husband, father and role model to many, including his extended family.”

Jaffe also takes exception with the fact that officers treated Wooten’s niece, who was involved in the initial traffic stop that led to the Memorial Day fracas, “like a common drug dealer.”

Jaffe also claims the SPD illegally searched the young woman’s vehicle and uncovered nothing.

“Brandon will stand up for himself, as he does for all of his clients, not bend to this overreaching excess of authority and will hold anyone responsible fully accountable,” Jaffe said. “By standing up for himself, he is standing up for all innocent citizens of Selma.”

Another attorney, Dondi West of Columbia, Maryland, also spoke out in Wooten’s defense, specifically taking aim at SPD officer Ashley Gaskins, who he claims has acted irresponsibly several times in the past, and Collier’s support for him.

“Chief Collier is attempting to slander the name of Mr. Brandon Wooten, whose record of service, volunteering and donating money and countless hours to Selma’s youth speaks for itself,” West said. “Additionally, it is clear that Chief Collier picked the wrong officer to hang his reputation on.”

West cites unnamed reports that have surfaced alleging Gaskins has claimed his body camera video was destroyed during the incident, as well as the testimony of people who have encountered Gaskins in the line of duty – one woman, according to West, claims that Gaskin tased her while she was pregnant and another man claims he was tased while “helpless in handcuffs.”

“Instead of approaching this situation objectively and erring on the side of caution to ensure this officer is not a danger to the public, [Collier’s] show of support, despite countless reports and incidents involving this officer, shows why both Chief Collier and Officer Gaskins are no longer fit to serve the people of Selma,” West said. “We are confident that a proper investigation of Officer Gaskins’ conduct and overall fitness will show a history of him violating police protocol and violating the public trust.”

Collier said that West requested a meeting with him via Selma City Attorney Woodruff Jones, but that he declined, as such a meeting “would be inappropriate with a pending criminal charge” against Wooten.

“The case against [Wooten] should and will be tried in court and not the media,” Collier said. “Just like anyone else, Mr. Wooten deserves due process.”