OHP suppends trooper involved in scuffle

The suspension begins immediately, officials said during a press conference tonight.

Martin also must take part in a psychological evaluation dealing with anger management, his attorney, Gary James of Oklahoma City, said.

The punishment was negotiated between OHP, Martin and his attorney, James said.

"I still stand by my belief that his actions do not warrant any suspension, but my client agreed to these terms for the betterment of the department and to put this behind him," James said.

Jones said that within the OHP there was a "difference of opinion" as to Martin's actions that day on U.S. 62 in Okfuskee County near Paden.

White, who filed a lawsuit Tuesday in federal court, claims his civil rights were violated by Martin, who stopped White's ambulance and said the driver, Paul Franks, made an obscene gesture at the trooper. Franks denies making the gesture.

Martin was removed from patrol duty with pay on June 1 after a video that showed him with his hands on White's neck surfaced on the Internet. With a patient in the ambulance, Martin and White became engaged in a physical altercation that was captured on two videos and viewed nationwide on YouTube, receiving more than 1 million hits.