On July 19, 2017, Officer David Grossman, a drug recognition expert with the Buckeye Police Department, encountered 14-year-old Connor Leibel, who has autism, in a public park. Mistaking Connor’s self-stimulatory behavior (‘stimming’) with a piece of string for illegal drug use, Grossman approached and questioned him. Despite Connor explaining his actions, Grossman escalated the situation by forcibly restraining him, slamming him against a tree, and pinning him to the ground. Connor suffered cuts, bruises, and a swollen ankle requiring surgery. A lawsuit was filed against Grossman and the City of Buckeye, alleging excessive force and violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The trial began on February 21, 2023, and after a seven-day civil trial, the jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before issuing its verdict, clearing David Grossman for his actions against then-14-year-old Connor Leibel. ([abc15.com](https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/investigations/trial-will-weigh-whether-buckeye-officer-used-excessive-force-on-autistic-teen?utm_source=openai))

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