Exclusive: Man feared for life during traffic stop with Canton police officer

CANTON, Ohio - NewsChannel5’s investigator Sarah Buduson obtained an exclusive interview with a man threatened by a Canton police officer during a traffic stop in December 2010.

“I was scared,” said Stanley Pearson, the man threatened by the Canton officer. “I thought he was gonna shoot me. He told me if I scratch my privates, he kill me and gonna make it justifiable."

Pearson said he complained to internal affairs investigators, but they didn’t seem interested in his story.

NewsChannel5’s investigative team is the first and only station to obtain the third dash cam video involving Pearson.

The video shows officer Daniel Harless and his partner following the car Pearson was in for several miles before pulling it over for no apparent reason.

During the stop, Harless then threatened to kill Pearson before leaving without issuing any tickets or making any arrests. Pearson said when he realized Harless was the officer who had pulled him over, he was immediately concerned.

“I’m thinking what was done what years ago is over," Pearson said. "Evidently, it’s not."

On New Year’s Day 2003, Harless and other officers showed up at the home of one of Pearson’s relatives. The accounts of what happened next vary.

Police reports say Harless and Pearson got into a fight.

Pearson said several officers, including Harless, beat him for several minutes after he was handcuffed.

“He beat me up real bad. Broke my nose. Broke my eye socket. Had to get reconstructive plastic surgery,” Pearson said.

Pearson went to prison for eight years for fighting with officers. He was convicted of assault and felonious assault. Internal affairs reports say Pearson broke one of Harless’s ribs and bit his finger.

“I don’t know. I probably did,” Pearson said when he was asked about biting Harless.

Canton Police Chief Dean McKimm said the officers involved in the 2003 incident with Pearson were exonerated.

“They’re investigated thoroughly and completely,” McKimm said.

Internal affairs investigators found Harless did break three department rules regarding conduct when he threatened Pearson. Investigators also questioned the grounds for the stop.

Investigators also found Harless broke the same three rules of conduct during two other incidents where Harless was captured making death threats on dash cam video. During those incidents, in June 2011 and July 2010, Harless screams insults and threatened to kill people he pulled over.

Harless faces a disciplinary hearing Sept. 7. He could be fired at that time.

In the meantime, Pearson is adjusting to life in a new town.

After the December encounter with Harless, he decided to leave Canton.

“I was scared. He said he was going to kill me,” he said.