A paraplegic man who was charging his wheelchair outside a grocery store will be tried later this month in Hamilton County Criminal Court on charges he assaulted a police officer.
Christopher Leo Hardaway, 45, who had been banned from the Food City on 23rd Street last year, pulled a knife on Officer Timothy McFarland during an argument with him, instead of leaving the property as he was ordered to do, according to police.
Christopher Leo Hardaway talks about his arrest for assaulting a police officer from the Chattanooga Community Kitchen on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2018, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Hardaway is paraplegic and uses a wheelchair to get around, and he has limited use of his arms and hands.But Hardaway, who plans to represent himself in court, says he tried to disclose the knife to the officer, not attack him. The officer’s body camera footage shows that, he argues.
Hardaway believes his case underscores a major issue: the harassment experienced by disabled and homeless people who are mostly non-violent, have no jobs or other prospects and often just need help.
Advocates say officers often demand compliance instead of trying to understand a person’s disabilities. Chattanooga Police Department officials said they could not comment on the case. But, they said, they are listening. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says about 380 officers have received de-escalation training since 2009 to increase safety for cops and citizens.