OHP Trooper's Attorney Defends His Client

News9.com for NewsOn6.com

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The attorney representing an OHP trooper who was involved in a scuffle with a Creek Nation paramedic is speaking out to defend his client's reputation.

The video of Trooper Daniel Martin's May 24 altercation with Creek Nation Paramedics has attracted a lot of attention locally and nationally.

The scuffle happened on Highway 62, near Paden, after the ambulance failed to yield to Trooper Martin while he was responding to a call. After the call is canceled, Martin returns to stop the ambulance. The fight broke out during the traffic stop.

6/14/2009 Related story: In Depth: OHP Trooper's Dash Cam Video

The Okfuskee County District Attorney has declined to file charges against anyone involved. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol has completed an investigation of the incident but have not released the results.

Attorney Gary Jones said the ongoing OHP investigation prevented Martin from telling his side of the story.

Trooper Martin returned from serving in Iraq two months ago and Jones said he was a hometown hero until the "undue" publicity of the scuffle with the paramedic tarnished his reputation.

Jones said Trooper Martin was within his legal authority to stop the ambulance because the ambulance was not running with its lights or sirens on.

James also said the paramedic escalated the situation by challenging the trooper.

Trooper Martin is currently on paid administrative leave.