06:18 PM CST on Tuesday, January 17, 2006

By DON WALL / WFAA-TV

DALLAS - Finger-pointing has begun after a scuffle between a police officer and a Dallas Roller Derby League skater left the woman on the ground with a bloody face in Deep Ellum Saturday night.

Michelle Metzinger, who skates for Assassination City, was skating down Elm Street when police officer Ceaphus Gordon stopped her in front of Elm Street Tattoo, which was where the differences in story began.

"I have bruises and scratches all over me," she said. "You have no idea how rough he was on me."

However, police said Metzinger tried to gouge the officer's right eye in the fight.

But, some witnesses also had a different opinion from the officer's account of what occurred that night.

"He just jumps on her and puts his knee on the back of her head with her face in the ground, like so brutally," said tattoo artist Oliver Peck. "It was ridiculous ... instantly, blood was everywhere and she's crying bloody murder. like helplessly."

Peck said he saw the police officer give Metzinger a ticket for jay walking, and then jumped on her twice when she tried to pull away.

"It was just a textbook example of unnecessary excessive force," he said.

Bartender Derek Conway said he also witnessed the struggle between the two, and called the incident "police brutality."

"[It was] completely over the top," Conway said. "It looked like a street mugging; it looked like a fight. He was mugging her ... that's what it looked like."

Metzinger was treated for her injuries and arrested for assault of a peace officer.

Officer Gordon was treated as well for scratches on his face and bruises on his shins after he said Metzinger kicked him with her skates.

Metzinger has hired a lawyer in connection with the incident. Police said they will consider an internal investigation.