Amarillo, TX - An alleged case of police brutality in Amarillo is gaining attention after a local defense attorney demands changes.



The alleged beating took place March 28th, 2015, when defense attorney Jeff Blackburn says 21 year old Robert Johnson was riding his bike in North Amarillo.



On that particular night Amarillo Police were responding to another incident on NE 24th Street. Blackburn claims Johnson was unaware and rode his bicycle through what police say was a crime scene, a claim Blackburn says is not true.



"It is not a crime to ride your bicycle down the street. There was no police tape, no blockade, no barricades, no nothing. This idea that they created later about there being a crime scene is ridiculous," he said.



However, as a result of that bike ride, Blackburn says Johnson was thrown from his bicycle by officers and apparently beaten.



Reverend Herman Moore witnessed the events.



"It's an ugly sight and it's a helpless feeling to stand and watch it," Moore said. "He was not a threat to them in any way that's why we were hollering 'why are you doing this?' Even though I didn't know what kid it was, he wasn't doing anything to dictate that. We were asking 'why are you beating this kid?' He was screaming 'what did i do?' He didn't even know," Moore added.



While there is no audio in dash-cam video the police report alleges Johnson did not cooperate with officers when asked to get off his bicycle. According to Blackburn the 21 year old is "intellectually disabled" with an IQ of 52 and rides his bicycle to get around town.



"I remember I got thrown on the ground and hitting my knee and they threw me on the ground and ripped up my shirt," Johnson recalls about that night.While other police brutality incidents have been occurring around the country Blackburn says changes need to be made immediately on a local level to prevent things like this from happening in the future.



"The victims of Amarillo's system need an independent voice and their own organization. To that end we are organizing the Amarillo Citizens for Open Government. This group will be a loose collation of groups and individuals who can investigate the problems of this system and recommend constructive solutions," Blackburn said.



He also suggested government audits to asses the local criminal justice systems and a police review board to look over complaints.



Blackburn says the Amarillo Citizens for Open Government group will meet on July 9th. The public meeting will be held for people to express their concerns surrounding the department. The meeting will be at 6 p.m. at the Black Historic Cultural Building on Hayden Street.



We reached out the Amarillo Police Department for comment on the allegations. In a statement they said: "This afternoon, the Amarillo Police Department was made aware of allegations against police officers, including excessive force, connected to theMarch 28, 2015 arrest of Robert Johnson. The department received notification today only by a local news agency. Prior to today, no complaints were made to the department regarding this matter. Upon notification, Chief Robert Taylor ordered an internal affairs investigation be initiated immediately. The Internal Affairs investigation has begun at this time. The department takes such allegations seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and action will be taken as appropriate. The quality and integrity of any investigation into a matter such as this is of utmost importance. The legal rights and reputation of all involved must also be respected. The department will not have any further comments on this matter until the investigation is complete."



Blackburn says right now no legal action is being taken at this point against the APD.



He also added Johnson was arrested on charges of resisting arrest, not having proper bicycle equipment and possession of small amounts of marijuana.



The resisting arrest charge was rejected by Potter County officials. The bicycle equipment charge has not been flied by police according to Blackburn. As far as the marijuana charge, Blackburn says he will be representing Johnson.