“Wafstet said as he opened the driver side rear door of the patrol car that Brandon [Shea] ‘just disappeared.’ He said he ran back around to the passenger side of the car and saw Brandon on the ground on his back facing up towards the deputies. Wafstet said that he saw Deputy Hartsell on top of Brandon with both of his hands grasped around Brandon’s neck.”

Dunster, who had been helping Hartsell and Rasmussen push Shea in, said he saw the suspect kick Hartsell in the stomach.

“Dunster said as Shea was being pulled out of the car on his back and wearing handcuffs, he saw Shea’s head hit the frame of the door and then hit the ground. He said he then saw Hartsell lean down over Shea and he could see one of Hartsell’s hands down and the other around his throat."

Both Dunster and Wafstet said that Dunster tried to pull Hartsell off Shea, but he immediately returned to choking him. Dunster said he pulled him off a second time, after which Hartsell angrily told him, "don't ever [expletive] pull me off a guy again," according to the affidavit.

Shea was eventually subdued and transported to jail. He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief, partner and family assault and resisting arrest, and received a 12-month deferred sentence.