In an unusual legal twist, a quadriplegic YouTube personality is facing battery charges after allegedly striking a Miami-Dade police officer with his wheelchair. Bryant Amastha, 32, better known by his YouTube moniker El Valien-T, appeared in court on charges that defy what one might imagine given his physical condition. "I absolutely did not," Amastha told Local 10 News when questioned about the incident.
Accused of becoming agitated when his mother was apprehended by police at their Quail Heights home, Amastha recounted a different version of events, with the unique nature of the case leaving the presiding judge bewildered. He shared with the outlet that an officer inadvertently made contact with his wheelchair in the narrow driveway, giving rise to the subsequent altercation. Reflecting on the unprecedented situation, the judge confessed in court, "I've truly never seen a case like this," as reported by the Daily Mail.
Additional allegations suggest Amastha spit at an officer, which he ascribes to an unrelated medical condition. "I suffer from acid reflux so I normally spit. And I spat in a totally different direction," Amastha explained. His arrest prompted claims of rough treatment by officers, with Amastha stating they "manhandled me," attempting to cuff his hands behind his back, an impossibility given his disability, as per Local 10 News.
Despite the grave allegations, the court deemed Amastha not a flight risk, releasing him on his own recognizance. "Obviously, my client's not a flight risk," his attorney remarked in court. Compounding the peculiarity of the case is a stipulation laid down by the judge ordering Amastha to steer clear of the involved officer should their paths cross again. With a substantial social media presence, Amastha, a Colombian artist, boasts a following that has witnessed his rise as a figure straddling music and personal narrative through his online persona. While the bodycam footage capturing the event does exist, it has yet to be made public. The Miami-Dade Police have stated they had not been made aware of any allegations of excessive force or damage to the wheelchair until now, as reported by Local 10 News.
