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King County deputy pleads not guilty to fourth-degree assault for allegedly punching cuffed suspect

Deputy Matthew Good was charged for an incident stemming from a March 7 interaction.

KING COUNTY, Wash. — A King County Sheriff's Office deputy was charged with fourth-degree assault for punching a domestic assault suspect while he was handcuffed on March 7.

The sheriff's office requested that the Des Moines Police Department investigate the actions of Deputy Matthew Good after other deputies reported seeing Good punch the suspect while he was seated and in handcuffs, according to charging documents. 

Good remains on administrative leave while the King County Sheriff's Office continues an internal investigation. 

Good pleaded not guilty Oct. 25.

According to charging documents, nine deputies were interviewed and questioned about what they observed. Four deputies said they witnessed the suspect kick another deputy, including the deputy who was kicked. Good, according to charging documents, then allegedly punched the suspect several times.

After the Des Moines Police Department completed its investigation, the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office reviewed the case. Scott Haug, a use-of-force expert, reviewed the case and found that "Good's use of force against someone who was handcuffed, and seat belted in the back of a patrol vehicle was not necessary and was unreasonable.

"Even though [the suspect] had kicked [another deputy] and was yelling profanities, there were other options available to gain compliance..."

According to the investigation, Deputy Good got into the back of the patrol vehicle when he was allegedly punching [the suspect], which Haug states is "contrary to standard police practice and officer safety." 

The charge against Good is a gross misdemeanor. In order to make it a felony, the victim must "sustain a substantial bodily injury as a result of the assault." 

The suspect was charged Oct. 17 with third-degree assault, a felony, because of the alleged assault on an officer.

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