BEDFORD — An Indiana University Health Department of Public Safety officer arrested a Bedford man on charges of intimidation, resisting law enforcement, and disorderly conduct following a highly disruptive incident in the IU Health Bedford Hospital Emergency Room.
Keith James Wise, 65, was taken into custody on November 8 after allegedly screaming threats and verbally abusing hospital staff and the responding officer.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Officer James Mullen, he was called to the emergency room at approximately 6:46 p.m. after a Patient Care Tech reported that Wise was being “very loud and verbally aggressive.”
Upon arrival, Officer Mullen reported that Wise was screaming and immediately began berating him, yelling a personal insult and demanding to call the police. Wise claimed an emergency room nurse had punched him and thrown a hospital phone at him. However, the officer found no visible signs of injury on Wise’s face to corroborate the claim and likewise found no signs of physical confrontation on the nurse’s hands.
The affidavit states that Wise became increasingly upset when advised that a police report would be filed, but the officer had no probable cause to believe the nurse had assaulted him.
As nursing staff attempted to calm him, Wise reportedly yelled, “Get out of here, you dumb b****! I’m going to sue all of you dumb, stupid, ugly b******!”. He then threatened the staff, stating, “I’ll make sure you get yours. I’m gonna remember you and you’re gonna remember me. I have connections. I’ll get your tires slashed. I know some meth heads who are wanting to make some money”.
After being warned for Disorderly Conduct and told to lower his voice—a request to which Wise replied, “Blow me,” and continued yelling—Officer Mullen placed Wise under custodial arrest.
Wise allegedly resisted the arrest, stating, “No, I’m not under arrest” and pulling his arm away. Officer Mullen reported delivering a distractionary strike after Wise balled his fist and reared his shoulder “as if he was preparing to strike me”. The officer, with assistance from a nurse, was able to secure Wise, using two sets of handcuffs due to the suspect’s large size.
Wise’s oxygen levels were monitored by a respiratory therapist after he screamed, “I can’t breathe!” and were determined to be completely normal at 98.
The Bedford Police Department sent two officers to assist with the transport due to the suspect’s difficulty fitting into the patrol car, requiring his handcuffs to be repositioned to the front of his torso.
Wise was transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
