By HOI ABC
CHENOA – New dashcam video shows an Illinois State Police trooper trying to help the driver of a traffic stop near Chenoa, before being attacked.
The 11-minute video, obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request, shows state trooper Matthew Niehaus conducting a traffic stop on Randy Turner for speeding, allegedly at 109 miles per hour in a 70 mile-per-hour zone.
In the video, Niehaus tells Turner that he isn’t going to arrest him, but rather write him a ticket and call a tow truck, since Turner’s license is expired.
“I’ll even work with you,” Niehaus says. “I even wrote your speed down a little bit so I wouldn’t have to take you to jail.”
Right after that, Turner suddenly lunges at him, tackles him and tries to get his gun. The one-on-one struggle lasts for just under a minute.
Niehaus is hit in the face multiple times and then sprayed with his own pepper spray. After radioing for help, a passerby stops and comes to Niehaus’ aid, armed and licensed to carry a concealed weapon, pointing his gun at Turner.
Turner then tries to escape in the tow truck called to tow his vehicle, but he is brought down and arrested.
The lengthy probable cause statement filed in court says during a recorded interview, Turner attacked the trooper because he didn’t want to go back to jail. Turner acknowledged he was told he wouldn’t go back to jail as part of the traffic stop but said “things change.”
He also told investigators he was trying to get the trooper’s gun because he wanted “control” of the situation, and the person with the gun was in “control.”
Turner allegedly acknowledged if he had gotten the gun, he would’ve shot the trooper, probably in the leg. The probable cause statement says Turner also said he would’ve done whatever it took to escape.
Turner is facing charges of disarming a police officer, aggravated battery, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, attempted possession of a stolen vehicle, criminal damage to state-supported property and driving under the influence of a drug.
His bond was previously set at $2 million, meaning he has to post 10% or $200,000 cash to be released. Turner is scheduled to be arraigned June 24 at 9 a.m.
Trooper Matthew Niehaus was released from the hospital shortly after the incident.
