Cop Cites Woman Without A Hand For Phone Use

You won’t believe the latest unbelievable incident involving law enforcement. A Florida sheriff’s deputy has managed to enter the Hall of Fame for doubling down on a mistake, even when the evidence was staring him right in the face. He cited a woman for allegedly holding a cell phone in her right hand, despite the fact that she doesn’t have a right hand.

A Citation Based on ‘Imaginary Hands’

The bizarre encounter occurred in February when Kathleen Thomas was pulled over by a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy during a distracted driving operation. Body camera footage captured the deputy loudly and incorrectly accusing Thomas of holding and manipulating her phone with her right hand while driving.

Thomas’s response was logical and direct: she lifted her right arm, revealing the absence of a hand. At this point, any reasonable person would likely apologize and reconsider their actions. However, this deputy was apparently committed to the ‘L’ and refused to back down.

Doubling Down on the Error

Instead of admitting his obvious mistake, the deputy insisted he saw what he saw. Thomas, understandably amused, asked if they could just call it a day. But the deputy persisted, continuing to press the issue as if defending a complex thesis on imaginary appendages.

In a moment of almost comedic absurdity, the deputy reportedly asked Thomas to swear ‘hand to God’ that she wasn’t using the phone. She raised her right arm stump in response, prompting the deputy to awkwardly clarify, ‘The other hand to God.’ Even this didn’t deter him.

Citation Issued, Then Dismissed

Against all logic, the deputy proceeded to issue the citation. Thomas was charged under Florida Statute 316.305(3)(a) for using a wireless communication device while driving, a violation carrying a $116 penalty. This was despite the clear lack of evidence.

After Thomas challenged the ticket and the story gained significant traction online, the deputy finally requested the citation be dismissed due to ‘lack of evidence.’ This is a rather indirect way of admitting that perhaps the woman without a right hand wasn’t, in fact, texting with her right hand.

Turns out the woman without a right hand probably wasn’t texting with her right hand after all. — Bossip

This incident raises serious questions about accountability and the importance of observation in law enforcement. It’s a stark reminder that sometimes, the most obvious facts can be overlooked.