Celena Morrison & Husband Darius Arrest Video Leaked Online: What Actually Happened?
On Saturday, March 4, 2024, a traffic stop on Interstate 76 West in Philadelphia turned into a heated confrontation between a state trooper and a couple. The couple was identified as Celena Morrison, the executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs in Philadelphia, and her husband, Darius McLean.
Morrison recorded part of the incident on her cell phone and her sister posted the video online. The video went viral and sparked outrage and debate on social media. Many people accused the trooper of racial profiling, excessive force, and disrespecting a city official. Others defended the trooper’s actions and blamed the couple for being uncooperative, aggressive, and entitled.
What the video shows?
The video, which is about two minutes long, shows the following events:
- The trooper approaches the gray Infiniti that Celena Morrisonis driving and asks for her license and registration. She tells him that she works for the mayor and asks why she was pulled over. The trooper says that she committed multiple violations, such as speeding, tailgating, and changing lanes without signaling.
- A green Dodge pulls up behind the trooper’s car and parks on the shoulder. The trooper walks over to the Dodge and asks the driver to move his vehicle. The driver, who is later revealed to be McLean, Morrison’s husband, refuses and argues with the trooper. He accuses the trooper of harassing his wife and says that he is a lawyer.
- The trooper orders McLean to get out of the car and tries to arrest him. McLean resists and struggles with the trooper. She gets out of her car and runs towards them, shouting that McLean is her husband and that they are not doing anything wrong.
- The trooper pushes Celena Morrison away and tells her to get back in her car. He then warns McLean that he will use his Taser if he does not comply. McLean says that the trooper is doing this because they are Black. The trooper denies this and says that he is doing his job.
- The trooper then goes back to her and tells her to turn around and put her hands behind her back. Morrison asks why and says that she did not do anything. The trooper says that she is under arrest for obstructing justice. He then grabs her phone and throws it on the ground. The video ends with the sound of a scuffle and the trooper saying “Give me your hands or you are getting tased.”
What the authorities say?
According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the trooper pulled over Morrison for multiple violations and was conducting a lawful traffic stop. They say that McLean interfered with the stop by parking behind the trooper and refusing to move his car. They also say that McLean became verbally combative, refused multiple lawful orders, and resisted arrest. They claim that Celena also disobeyed the trooper’s commands and tried to intervene in the arrest.
The state police say that both Morrison and McLean were arrested and taken to the Belmont Barracks. They say that they were charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, and other offenses. They say that the trooper sustained minor injuries during the incident and was treated at a hospital. They say that the trooper’s body camera and dash camera captured the entire incident and that the footage will be reviewed as part of the investigation.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office says that it is investigating the case and that it will not make any charging decisions until a thorough, even-handed investigation is complete. The DA’s office says that it is asking for the public’s help in collecting more evidence, including video and photos, from anyone who witnessed the incident or has information about it. The DA’s office says that it is committed to ensuring justice and accountability for all parties involved.
The Philadelphia Mayor’s Office says that it is aware of the incident and that it is waiting for the results of the investigation. The mayor’s office says that it respects the work of the state police and the DA’s office and that it expects all city employees to abide by the law and cooperate with law enforcement. The mayor’s office says that it will not comment further on the matter until the investigation is concluded.
What does the couple say?
Celena Morrison and McLean say that they are innocent and that they were victims of racial profiling and police brutality. They say that they were driving to a family event when they were pulled over for no reason. They say that the trooper was rude, aggressive, and disrespectful to them. They say that McLean parked behind the trooper to protect his wife and that he did not resist arrest. They say that Celena was trying to calm the situation and that she did not obstruct justice. They say that the trooper used excessive force and threatened to Taser them.
Morrison and McLean say that they were released from custody later that day and that they are seeking legal counsel. They say that they are traumatized by the incident and that they want justice and accountability. They say that they are grateful for the support and solidarity they have received from the public and from the LGBT community. They say that they will not let this incident silence them or deter them from their work and advocacy.
Celena Morrison & Husband Darius Arrest Video Leaked Online
| Aspect | Trooper’s version | Couple’s version |
|---|---|---|
| Reason for the stop | Multiple violations by Morrison | No reason |
| McLean’s interference | Parked behind the trooper and refused to move | Parked behind the trooper to protect his wife |
| McLean’s arrest | Resisted and struggled with the trooper | Did not resist and cooperated with the trooper |
| Morrison’s intervention | Disobeyed the trooper’s commands and tried to intervene | Tried to calm the situation and did not interfere |
| Celena Morrison Morrison’s arrest | Obstructed justice and resisted arrest | Did not obstruct justice and did not resist arrest |
| Trooper’s use of force | Necessary and lawful | Excessive and unlawful |
| Trooper’s motive | Doing his job | Racial profiling and police brutality |
| Charges | Resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, obstruction of justice, and other offenses | None |
| Injuries | Minor injuries to the trooper | None |
| Evidence | Body camera and dash camera footage | Cell phone video |
| Investigation | Ongoing by the state police and the DA’s office | Ongoing by the state police and the DA’s office |
| Outcome | Pending | Pending |
What does the public say?
The public reaction to the incident has been divided and polarized. Some people have expressed support and sympathy for Morrison and McLean, saying that they were unfairly targeted and mistreated by the trooper because of their race and sexual orientation. They have praised Celena Morrison for her work as the executive director of the Office of LGBT Affairs and for her role in advancing the rights and interests of the LGBT community in Philadelphia. They have called for the trooper to be fired and prosecuted for his actions.
2/2 Celena Morrison recorded video of part of the incident. She can be heard telling the trooper “i work for the mayor. I work for the mayor.” Before she gets arrested and the phone keeps recording audio after. pic.twitter.com/Y1cOCHWCJo
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) March 2, 2024
Other people have criticized and condemned Morrison and McLean, saying that they were uncooperative, aggressive, and entitled. They have accused them of using their positions and identities to justify their behavior and to evade responsibility. They have defended the trooper for his actions and for doing his job. They have called for Celena and McLean to be fired and prosecuted for their actions.
Profile
The incident involving Celena Morrison and Darius McLean has sparked a lot of controversy and debate. The video of their arrest has gone viral and has generated different reactions from the public. The authorities are investigating the case and have not made any charging decisions yet. The couple claims that they are innocent and that they were victims of racial profiling and police brutality. The trooper claims that he was doing his job and that he acted lawfully. The truth of what actually happened is still unclear and may depend on the evidence and the investigation. This is a developing story and we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.
