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Guntersville is a city in Marshall County, Alabama- A woman is claiming Guntersville Police unlawfully arrested her for sleeping in a public park inside her car and refusing to show identification.
Guntersville Police body cameras video shows 3 Officers and a lieutenant's interactions with Kristy Landry, who is now facing many charges as obstruction of justice, criminal trespass, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
The Police Officers in the video tell to Kristy Landry they received a call that said a person saw woman asleep in her car, and called police to check to see if Landry was alright.
Officers responded to the call, and woke Landry up, demanding identification. Guntersville Police told Landry she had to hand over her ID due to Alabama Article 15-5-30, which states identification is required from anybody reasonably suspected of committing a felony or other public offense
Then, police said she was violating the city's loitering ordinance by sleeping in her car.
"It's a scary situation being accosted for nothing. At least if I had done something wrong, I would have some guilt about it. But here I am, being dragged out of my car," said Landry.
After police called for backup, Landry eventually handed over her ID. After officers found she had not warrants, they let her go. But then the lieutenant changed course, placing Landry under arrest for obstruction of justice.
As shown in the body-cam videos, police had to physically pull Landry from her car, and it took all four officers to get handcuffs on her and place her in the back of the squad car.
Kristy is no stranger to the law, but not because she's had past run-ins. Her father, Buddy Caldwell, served as Louisiana's attorney general from 2008-2015.
"No crime was committed! This case should be thrown out as a matter of law," said Caldwell.
The former Louisiana Attorney General also said the term loitering is ambiguous, especially in this particular case.
"You could say that loitering in a public park of this kind is what you're supposed to do. You're supposed to wander aimlessly, or go around and enjoy a park," said Caldwell.
Guntersville Police declined to go on camera since it is an ongoing case, but did tell WAAY 31 they have responded to similar calls at the same park that ended up being more dangerous situations.
Landry is fighting to get the charges dropped, and has an upcoming court hearing on April 19.