Transcript Part 1: TEXT: Oklahoma City [sound of police sirens] Trooper Eric Foster: Eric Foster: Roll down the window! Roll down the window! Hands out the window. Hands out the window. Hands out the window - both hands - both hands out the window! Stick both f*cking hands out the window. TEXT: Trooper Eric Foster pulls over 64-year-old Pearl Pearson. [Pearl yelling] Foster: It says “hearing impaired” on the thing. Other trooper: Oh sh*t. Eric Foster: Like deaf. TEXT: As many as half of all people killed by law enforcement are Deaf, have a physical or mental impairment, or another disability. Pearl Pearson survived. Source: Ruderman Family Foundation TITLE: Untold America Deaf in America Black and Deaf [Visual description: Road in Oklahoma City with a sign that says “Welcome to Oklahoma City.” Another sign that says “Deaf Church Oklahoma: Sundays 3:00 p.m., Wednesdays 6:30 p.m..” Shot of Pearl Pearson standing in front of white building.] Lower Third: Janice Woods, Pearl’s Daughter Janice Woods: My dad, he's probably one of my most favorite people on this earth. He is gentle and kind, and it's genuine. Lower Third: Pearl Pearson, Jr. Pearl: My name is Pearl Pearson Jr. Interviewer: Do you have a name sign? Pearl: Pearl. I love jokes. I love making people laugh. TEXT: In 2014, Pearl was pulled over because of a minor traffic accident. He was repeatedly punched in the head, knocked unconscious and his shoulder dislocated. Pearl: My brain was damaged from all of the blows. I had been hit and I almost blacked out. My eyes were damaged. It was difficult for me to breathe. I was trying to tell them to stop. I was choked up. I couldn't breathe. My head - I was dizzy because of the trauma that was happening. I curled over in the fetal position, just trying to make it stop. Before that, I had gone to a Deaf coffee event at Starbucks, and they closed at 10 and I left about 9:30. I said bye to everybody. And I left. And [I was] driving. And then there were some police lights behind me. I didn't know where we were going. So I pulled over, and the police pulled up behind me. I have a placard in my car that explains that I’m Deaf I was getting ready to get that, I had my hands on the wheel, and the policeman came up, with his gun drawn, around the side of the car. And I rolled down the window and the police started talking to me and I pointed my ear to say, “I am Deaf, just, just a second.” And I was going to reach for that paper, that placard that I had that explained I’m Deaf. And when I reached down, his fist came through the window and then his other hand grabbed my wrist. Trooper Kelton Hayes: Get outta the car. Get out the car. Quit resisting. Quit resisting. [sounds of struggle] Janice Woods: When they pulled his arm like that, it dislocated his shoulder. So at that moment, before he even got out of the vehicle, his right arm is completely out of socket. Pearl: So they finally got the door open and got the seatbelt off and pulled me out onto the ground, and then were beating me. And the police say that it was 7 minutes, but it really felt more like 10 or 15. Janice Woods: They, at one point, had him in a choke hold. We learned that he had a concussion. My dad believed that he would die. Kelton Hayes: Give us your hands. Pearl: [yelling] Kelton Hayes: Give us your hands! Pearl: [yelling] I was yelling, “I'm Deaf, I'm Deaf.” And I was angry and I was upset trying to make them understand. I tried to talk and I tried to tell them, but they kept, they kept beating me. They kept hitting. [sounds of a struggle] Pearl: And so I just had to go back into a fetal position. I was screaming, I was screaming. Janice Woods: You can't follow commands if you can't hear them. You can't put your arms behind your back when you've got one arm dislocated and hanging out and the muscles that are attached to it torn. It's not physically possible to do that. Trooper: Hey, you know why he was resisting you? Because he was trying to grab this f*cking card. Eric Foster: Oh, that’s what it was. Trooper: That’s what it was. Eric Foster: I knew it. [Pearl yelling] Trooper: Yeah, his face is jacked up. [laughing] Other trooper: Hey, make sure you report, you put that there was nothing identifying him deaf whatsoever … Trooper: Right. Other trooper: … on the outside or inside. That, that was in the f*cking side pocket. And he never even, he never said sh*t about it. Other trooper: Right. [laughing]

Even if they can't tell he was deaf, they still could clearly see that he was old. To beat an elderly man in my opinion is the same as beating a woman or child.

The police were laughing after they beat the deaf man, instead of trying to help 🤬

I just love that their logic is "Oh, well we didn't know he was deaf, so beating this old man senseless over a minor traffic violation was totally justified, right?"

Did he really say, “He didn’t say anything” regarding deaf placard? I screamed at the tv that he can’t speak dumb asses! This is disgusting and I am so sorry these people went through this and that there are people in our world that treat others this way. 💜

"He's hearing impaired, like deaf!" "Yeah, his face is jacked up" Then Laughter..... These Policemen are sick!

The dumbest thing I’ve ever heard someone say “you don’t need to hear an officer to know what their saying” like huh

My older sister has been entirely deaf her entire life. This sickens me. This MAN deserves EVERYTHING these thugs have in their name!!!

The worst part about this whole situation that is straight up disgusting is that the officers are laughing at what they did after they found out he was deaf and then talking about how to cover it up in their statements.

Them laughing about how badly they "jacked his face up" makes me sick! Then them trying to get their story straight... these guys should be locked up. They are evil cowards

There's a special place in hell for officers like this.

“You don’t kneed to hear to know what these officers are saying to ya?“ what kind of moronic statement is that?

Their stories need to go viral again. We are talking about how this is wrong, but we also need to find ways to bring justice to the families affected by the wrong-doings of corrupt police, and the failing "Justice" system.

Anyone noticed how one cop was telling the other how to LIE on the police report?

That officer is a disgusting human being to laugh when they say that poor gentleman's face was "jacked up" immediately after realizing the man was deaf and COULDN'T follow his commands. That is the most cold blooded things ive ever seen.

What an amazing man. So kind and gentle. God bless him. I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Made me cry when his daughter was talking. I can tell by her tone and tears that he is a great father.

And they laughed. They LAUGHED!!! I'm in tears...furious...I don't even know what to say or do. How can we change this?

When you put an uniform on a pig, it is still a pig. It doesn't turn it into a human.

Watching this really pissed me off. The officers laughed after beating Mr. Pearl like they must not be human. And the lies to cover up is just something else.

This actually made me cry because this isn't fair for our deaf community to deal with, the police should be trained and taught sign language

I have never cried watching a video on KZfaq. My heart is so very weak right now. I am so sorry that this happened to Mr. Pearson. So very sad. Now, I am more determined than ever to go to law school. I am sorry, Mr. Pearson. You are a wonderful person. And I am so very sorry these evil men did this to you.

This is why people are protesting and why a revolution is needed.

This makes me sick to my stomach that they can just laugh about it. Like why would they approach a traffic stop like this. Comply and you may or may not live.

That family photo is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I can’t stop looking at it. The smiles on those kids faces are so real. Their whole faces are lit up. Praise God this beautiful man wasn’t taken away from his beautiful family❤️

Man: "I'm deaf and can't hear what you're saying" Cop: "That's not sufficient cause for failing to obey my orders!"

The DA needs to be charged with abuse of power, Intimidation of good people who deserve justice for the crimes committed to them by lawenforcment, get those cops off the streets and fired.

I can't even put into words how sickening and disturbing this is.

How do you expect a DEAF man to tell you he's deaf?!

When the one cop said he's deaf and the other cop said, "Oh, $#it" that is the phrase is equivalent for a lawsuit for the gentleman.

This for real made me cry. They laughed at him right after almost killing him.

“He never said sh*t about it” HOW?? He only knows sign language! What can he say??? And you laugh about it afterwards

“You don’t have to hear to know what an officer is saying” is the most idiotic thing I have heard a DA ever say. What a disgrace to humanity.

To go from beating an old man to laughter within minutes.

For God sake they laughed about beating this 64 year old man.

The damn DA said “you don’t need to hear to hear what these officers are saying to you”. Wtf. What an asinine statement. And these are the people we have in the positions of power.

"You don't need to hear to know what these officers are saying to you" Imagine an entire human being uttering those words. Until it happens to his offspring.

These two cops laughing & joking after they found out the truth that they just beaten up a innocent person is the definition of pure evil.

THIS NEEDS MORE ATTENTION NATIONWIDE

laughing after beating him only shows what sort of people they really are.

"You don't need to hear what these officers are saying to ya." That is the brain dead intelligence of our justice system.

Special place in hell for that District Attorney, those Police Officers, Chief, all Commanders,, Mayor and City Council. Charge them all with murder. Sickening.

I honestly teared up. He’s such a genuine sweet person, he did not deserve it. I felt sick to the bone after hearing this story. Why beat him?

The part when one of the officer says his face is jacked up and they both start laughing WTF. It was already after they realized he was reaching for the disability card.

This video just turned my stomach. I’m disabled and know first hand that cops don’t care if you’re disabled or not. The D.A. should be fired and charged with conspiracy

Pearl is so adorable! I feel so bad that he had to go through that..

“His face is jacked up. Hahahahahaha” He sounds so proud to have won a fight against a 64 year old deaf man. That is beyond disgusting. Omg. That shit made me want to puke. Really.

The fact the cops laughed about his face and then colluded to form a lie is sick, it shows they have no humanity in them what so ever.

Someone needs to set up a company that makes magnetic signs to stick to cars that say "Cops, I'm deaf! Don't murder me."

Let me scroll and see how the bootlickers try make leaps of logic to justify this BS.

The fact that the officer said “I knew it” and than laughed, they expected him to talk when he’s never heard a word.

it’s disgusting to see that they were laughing at his face looking terrible..bc of them! this is so disgusting!

I cried so hard I could hardly breath,omg I'm a care giver and I can't even think of someone ,anyone abusing a elderly man and him being black I can't even imagine how scared he was.Im so pissed,im saddened and pray for him 🙏 and all others being abused by others and the police who are suppose to protect not abuse.

This just breaks my heart. Love to you and your family sir. Bless you Pearl.

Who still watching this day .i feel so bad for him and I'll die for him.

KARMA WILL GET THOSE POLICE OFFICERS. The universe will not ignore their actions and the Pearls struggles. Much love to Mr. Pearl.

1:14 holy, my man got some nice hair

No jokes. This is the United States of America.

"You don't need to hear to know what the officers are saying to you" This is our justice system everyone.

Laughing about BEATING a Deaf Old man like that,,

The disturbing thing is that they didn't even care that they just severely beat an old man who was deaf. They were laughing about it while they talked about covering it up.

If a Citizen did this to that old guy, they'd be in Prison for 20 years.

The district attorneys Oklahoma County it's stupid how can you hear the cops if you are deaf I think this district attorney should be fired

So heart wrenching. How can they laugh at him after beating him and realizing he is deaf and it wasnt his fault, then proceeded to treat him like shit. So horrible.

what's disgusting is that these officers are more similar to high school bullies then they are to law enforcement

My son is deaf and I'm so scared of what he is going to face as a teenager and a adult, I'm so scared, because of this right here, I know in my heart and soul it's not going to be ok for him, and it frightens me to no end. I'm so sorry for your pain and I hope you get what you deserve, nothing will ever make it right I know, but I hope they pay some how my brother, I love you stay strong and always know that there are good people in this world it's just not the police or law enforcement agencies they are after one thing, and that's to hurt people and put people in jail, I will never trust any law enforcement agencies ever. Be safe my brother.

The fact that the district attorney had the AUDACITY to say "You don't need to hear to know what these officers are saying", THEY ARE DEAF FOR GODNESS SAKE. I'm so sorry for these people's families that have had this happen to them or a loved one. Some police are sick.

8:32 "You don't need to hear to known what these officers are saying to you " W...T....F...

Came here to watch this again because I was educating my loved one on realities of life. There are devils out there

Heartbreaking, im so sorry, love and respect from Texas

I have to say this story brought me to tears it was really sad I saw my father in this man

The cops were laughing 😢 this is sad

As a former law enforcement officer this what make people feel the ways that they do about cops 🚓 Also laughter is totally unacceptable and they both should be imprisoned for 20 years each . A Damn Shame ☝🏾

" Them Cops Ain't du' Nuffin' " 😂😂😂

For each tear that man cried, for every emotional and physical injury he has sustained.... I'd break a bone of one of the officers responsible..... So I say about..... 46 bones from each officer involved.

So upset that the cops got away again. Feel so bad for this deaf guys. Sooooo unjust.

This happened in my city. The police beat a deaf man unconscious because he didn't respond to their fascist screaming.

Those criminal cowards are ALWAYS trying to justify THEIR evil godless character by blaming the victims.

The cops after beating the deaf guy were basically laughing at his disability

Why the frick were those pigs laughing?! Is death a joke? I’m honestly sick, filled with disgust. Thank you for raising awareness to such things like this. I teared up, he’s one of the bravest!

Don't you worry pearl , there is a special place in hell reserved for such characters

Love his hat with spiked hair in it. . LoL . What nice guy

WHY ARENT THOSE POLICE OFFICERS FIRED?!?!?!?!

"You don't need to hear what these officers are saying to you." This is the DA saying this right? Oaklahoma. Too many Klan wearing police uniforms in Oaklahoma as well as throughout the country.

I would like them to take off the badges and each spend 10 minutes in a locked room with me.

The laughter really made me beyond angry.

This is disgraceful. Serious institutional problems exhibited day after day. So many of these officers have no business doing the job they do, and the worst part is that they are defended by people in positions of power regardless of how they conduct themselves. It's a very sad state of affairs, America is still broken.

It's so shocking.... Horrible violence against this beautiful black man

It's sickening on how they were just laughing like it was nothing

They laughed like it was a joke

"you don't need to hear, to know what these officers are saying to you." What the???? He is a complete fool!

Dam these cops are sadistic as hell, they should have bin trailed and jailed

People think the system is broken but it's worse than that. The system is NOT broken.

Cop should have been fired arrested and prosecuted. No qualified immunity and bankrupt.

It won’t end... law enforcement will never take responsibility for their actions... they all cover for each other and treat citizens like the enemy

This makes me scared for my older brother who's deaf, he wants to learn how to drive

And people keep saying police is not well trained: in every single video they keep saying "stop resisting" when the victim is not resisting. That's very good training right there.

Omg!! This was hard to watch. Prayers for him and his family. He was treated so badly and even worse that he didn't receive treatment for all of his injuries. God bless and protect anyone in that position. 🙏🙏

Wow. I’m a Special Education teacher and this video moved me to tears. I would love to have someone like Pearl in my classroom to inspire my kids. Thank you for sharing this story. Thank you Pearl

Officers: laugh after beating and terrifying an old deaf black man DA: "TheY AcTeD WiThiN ReaSon" Edit: wtf is wrong in my commentsection, are they serious?

Wow. Brother I’m so sorry this happened to you. Stay safe.