Mom Seeks Termination Of Police Officers

The mother of a 19-year-old suspect told the Quinlan City Council on Monday night that three police officers badly beat her son when they arrested him last week at a Campbell motel.

"I’m asking the city council to do something about it," Karla Whitehead said. She said her son was shackled, beaten and slammed down on concrete.

"There was no reason for them to do this," she said. "He still doesn’t have any feeling in his fingers."

Whitehead said Officer Richard Gomez "had on gloves. Gomez got him down and continued to beat him."

She said there was a police video that showed the incident and witnesses who stepped forward and gave statements to back up the claims.

"They decided to be the judge, jury and trial," Whitehead said. "I don’t know how many people care about Jake Payne. He’s my son, and I care."

Payne was arrested Aug. 28 by Constable Kent Layton after Officer Gomez was injured when he said a suspect kicked him in the head and attempted to take his gun when he tried to arrest him. Later that week, Gomez told The News, "The driver gave false information. I knew he was lying. I was going to arrest him for failure to ID."

Gomez said after he placed handcuffs on one hand, the suspect turned and struggled to get away and was unsuccessful in attempts to take the officer’s gun from its holster. "He got up and kicked me a couple of times."

A manhunt ensued that was joined by the sheriff’s office, Department of Public Safety, Garland Police Department’s SWAT team and search dogs and the West Tawakoni Police Department.

Layton arrested Payne the following day, and he was later released on bond.

"I just want ya’ll to know he’s young," Whitehead said. "He got scared and ran." She said she asked him if he thought the officers were trying to kill him and he answered that he did.

She asked that the council terminate the officers.

Mayor Sharon Royal answered that the incident was currently under investigation.

Payne’s grandmother who also attended the meeting, Betty Mooneyham, asked how long the investigation would take.

Royal said that she could not say how long it would take to conduct a thorough investigation.

Mooneyham questioned whether Gomez was still working. The mayor said it was not pertinent to the investigation.

"It’s pertinent to me," Mooneyham said. "I have a grandchild in school up here."

Police Chief Johnny Thornburg said he could not immediately comment since all accusations were still under investigation.

In addition to Officer Gomez, the other two officers involved were Cpl. Daniel Skurlock and Officer Jeremy Humphrey.

Later in the meeting, City Consultant Billy Green said he terminated Officer Humphrey’s employment on Sept. 4 after tests were not successfully completed. He said Humphrey was still serving during a probation period when his employment was ended.

Mayor Royal told The News that she was not at liberty to discuss the incident since the allegations were being investigated. "Upon investigation, any appropriate actions will be taken," she said.