Man facing battery charges for incident involving police near 51st and Capitol pleads not guilty

MILWAUKEE -- A man facing battery charges in connection with an incident involving Milwaukee police in May near 51st and Capitol has pleaded not guilty.

Demetrious Lowe, 25, of Milwaukee was in court Wednesday, June 27 for his preliminary hearing -- during which an MPD officer testified, and a motion to dismiss by the defense was denied. Probable cause was found for further proceedings, and Lowe was bound over for trial. He pleaded not guilty. An arraignment was set for July 10.

Lowe faces three felony counts of battery or threat to judge, prosecutor or law enforcement officer.

Lowe made his initial appearance in court on May 7 -- just days after the incident May 2. At that time, his attorney said there was reason to question his competency, and indicated he "doesn't remember hardly anything" from the incident. He noted that Lowe suffers from mental illness, and said "I feel police knew he had mental issues and problems."

Lowe's attorney said Lowe was acting up that day because of evil spirits, and despite earlier reports that someone put something into Lowe's drink, Lowe's attorney said he attributes his actions to his mental illness.

He was found competent to proceed during a hearing on June 20.

Lowe was taken into custody on Saturday, May 5 -- after he was taken to the hospital following his arrest. His family said he had several surgeries since the incident and suffered injuries to his ribs, shoulder and neck. They said they fear him being held in jail isn't good for his physical or mental well-being.

According to the criminal complaint, police were originally called to the neighborhood around 6:30 p.m. following a report that a man who was suffering from a mental health episode, had become violent toward relatives as well as other residents. Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said a caller stated the man had kicked her door in, and indicated she was hiding behind a car. She said he had not been acting normally since the weekend, and she believed someone put something in his drink.

When police arrived on scene, they located Lowe walking in the area of 51st and Capitol --  not far from the original address of the service call. Officers attempted to speak with him, but he responded incoherently, repeatedly stating "I'm King James," and he refused to cooperate with the officers’ commands. When officers attempted to arrest him, he assumed a fighting stance and actively fought with officers.

The complaint indicates one officer deployed his "O.C. spray" --  but this had no effect on Lowe. Lowe allegedly then punched this officer in the face -- knocking him backward into the street. The officer suffered what was described in the complaint as "a broken mustache bone."

At that time, three other officers surrounded Lowe and delivered baton strikes to no avail. Lowe then punched another officer -- knocking him to the ground. Another officer responded to the scene and positioned himself behind Lowe. The complaint indicates Lowe struck that officer in the face -- knocking him backwards.

The complaint indicates another officer suffered a thumb sprain during the struggle with Lowe.

After several minutes, Lowe was eventually taken into custody. He was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries and for a mental health evaluation, police said.

Police said the following about the four officers who were injured during the incident:

Three Milwaukee police officers were placed on administrative duty, and a fourth was placed on administrative suspension after the arrest.

We've learned this isn't the first time Lowe has been in trouble with the law. In 2012, after arguing with the mother of his child and her family members about child support, prosecutors say he punched and beat up the woman's sister and her father. He pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of misdemeanor criminal damage to property. He was sentenced to 18 months probation.

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