An arrest made by Madison Police lead to protests outside the Dane County Jail Tuesday night. Officers used a taser and force on 18-year-old Genele Laird earlier in the evening, after she reportedly spit in their faces and kicked and scratched them. Bystander video showing officers trying to restrain Laird has gone viral on YouTube
Police responded around 5:00 p.m. to East Towne Mall on a report that Laird made threats and showed a knife to a mall employee.
The arresting officers were taken to the hospital and treated for their injuries. About 40 people protested outside the jail, including members of Madison’s Young, Gifted and Black organization who are demanding Laird be released from jail and that the officers be arrested.
Laird is charged with disorderly conduct, resisting police, battery to an officer and discharging bodily fluids. She has no prior arrest record.
WIBA