An Arizona man suffered third-degree burns all over his body when police pinned him face-down on scorching hot asphalt that “cooked” his skin — and now he’s threatening to sue for $15 million.
Michael Kenyon, 30, spent more than 30 days in the hospital after he was taken to the ground by four Phoenix cops on July 6 — when temperatures reached a sweltering 114 degrees — and held him there on the pavement for four minutes as he screamed in pain.
“As Michael screamed out for help, the officers pressed hard — one officer at one point kneeling on his head, and pressing the side of his face into the asphalt as other officers put their weight on his torso,” Kenyon’s attorneys wrote in the official notice of claim filed on Dec. 30.
A witness from a nearby balcony recorded part of the incident on video, which shows Kenyon, who was unable to walk to the police car, yelling, “Please… please… I can’t move. I didn’t do anything,” as he was being detained, ABC 15 reported.
The pavement was estimated to be between 180 to 200 degrees that day, according to CBS News.
Kenyon suffered third-degree burns on his arms, legs, chest, and face. Chunks of skin were singed off his knees.
He said the pain was unbearable, and likened it to “going through Hell and Hades… feels like your skin is melting off.”
Kenyon, who has not been charged with any crime, was detained while walking to a local store by police who believed him to be a petty theft suspect after Kenyon’s roommate had reported that his laptop had been stolen.
But Kenyon’s lawyers said he didn’t look anything like the suspect that was given to police, and was clearly not carrying a laptop or armed, Kenyon’s lawyers said.
While he was being rushed to the hospital, he was administered ketamine “for reasons unclear.” His phone was confiscated and he was even handcuffed to his hospital bed, even though police had already confirmed he was not the right suspect.
“Phoenix police are demonstrating an utter disregard for human life over and over again,” Bobby DiCello, one of Kenyon’s attorneys, previously told ABC15. “This young man was burned to the third degree because his skin was cooked on asphalt.”
He spent more than 30 days in the Maricopa County Burn Unit, where he underwent a series of skin grafts and other procedures. He’s since been going to physical therapy in an attempt to regain the mobility of his arms.
At the time of the incident, Kenyon had an outstanding warrant for failing to appear on a drug charge, court records show — however, both Kenyon and the police officers said they were unaware of the warrant.
Kenyon accused the Phoenix Police Department of poor training, unconstitutional practices, and a violent culture — which were detailed in a scathing Department of Justice investigation released in June.
He wishes to settle the case for $15,530,000 or else has threatened he will sue the city in federal court, according to the notice.
“Michael is 30 years old. At an average life expectancy, he should live another 42 years. That is 15,330 days,” according to the claim.
“We are confident that not a single one of you would choose to live in Michael’s disfigured body and traumatized mind for $1,000 a day—and we are confident a jury would agree that this is a modest sum for what the Phoenix Police Department has caused to him.”
Phoenix city hall declined to respond to the claim but confirmed to local outlets that the incident remains under investigation.
