Newly released body camera and dash camera footage from a Michigan State Police trooper provide additional details about an incident on August 3rd, in which a woman allegedly assaulted a trooper, slipped out of handcuffs, and stole a police vehicle.
The suspect, Cortney Morey of Ravenna, now faces several felony charges, including assaulting a police officer, unlawful driving away, fleeing a police officer, and malicious destruction of police property.
The incident began around 8:30 p.m. when Michigan State Police responded to a domestic disturbance call.
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Upon arrival, a trooper encountered Morey, who was initially cooperative, sitting on the ground and engaging in conversation. However, as the interaction progressed, tensions escalated, leading the trooper to attempt to take Morey into custody.
The body camera footage shows that the situation became contentious when the trooper informed Morey that she could not bring her purse to jail.
Morey began to resist and yell at the trooper, who then ordered her to get on the ground and show her hands to be handcuffed.
During the struggle, Morey threatened to sue the trooper and then bit the officer, prompting the trooper to shout, “Get off! Don’t bite!”
Backup officers arrived on the scene, and Morey was handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle.
However, the situation took another turn when Morey managed to slip out of her handcuffs, climb into the driver’s seat, and drive off in the trooper’s vehicle.
Dash camera footage from the cruiser shows Morey leading troopers on a high-speed chase through back roads.
The video captures the sound of tires squealing as she attempted to navigate a sharp curve and rolled down the windows as she sped away.
Inside the vehicle, an MSP K9 can be seen being tossed around due to the reckless driving.
The chase ended when Morey crashed the stolen patrol vehicle into a swamp in Bridgeton Township. The vehicle had to be retrieved from the water, and Morey was subsequently taken into custody.
Morey was later charged with multiple felonies related to the incident and was given a $20,000 cash-assured bond.
As part of her bond conditions, she is prohibited from leaving the state without permission. Authorities have not yet announced a trial date.
This incident highlights the potential dangers law enforcement officers face during routine calls and the unpredictable nature of such encounters.
The Michigan State Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case, and further details may emerge as the case proceeds through the legal system.
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