The 45-year-old man has entered a plea of “not guilty reason of insanity” to charges of felonious assault on a police officer, impersonating a peace officer and obstruction of official business, for the July 21 attack on Officer Jason Deaton.
German told police he suffers from impulsive destructive disorder that makes it difficult to control himself. Defense attorney Damon Halverson said the first psychological evaluation completed this week confirms that diagnosis, but an additional evaluation may clear up if he was suffering from the disorder at the time of the incident.
“He ‘reds out’ when he suffers physical pain and doesn’t recall what happened,” Halverson said. The attorney added German did suffer injuries to his wrist during the incident.
Halverson said German is “devastated” by the incident.
“He cries like a baby every time I see him,” Halverson said.
Spaeth set a competency hearing, considering both evaluations, for 10 a.m. Oct. 7.
A Middletown cruiser camera allegedly caught German repeatedly striking Deaton in the face on July 21. The officer was beaten so severely, officials said he required reconstructive surgery.
German was pulled over in his van about 5 p.m. by Deaton near Aberdeen Drive and Central Avenue after he allegedly was in a hit-and-run crash. German — who at 6-foot-2, 240 pounds was much larger than Deaton — struck the officer in the face several times before the two wrestled to the ground, according to police. Another officer, Malcolm Tipton, used his Taser on German, who was then placed in handcuffs.
Police Chief Greg Schwarber said Thursday that Deaton has not returned to work and they do not yet have a return date for him.
Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.
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