New Mexico cops fired after video catches jail cell beating that fractured man's skull

Two police officers in Las Cruces, New Mexico were fired after security footage showed them apparently attacking a 47-year-old handcuffed man inside his jail cell, KTMS-TV reported.

"I see this video where they're not keeping our community safe," said Ross Flynn's attorney, Chris Cardenas. "What they're doing is making it worse."

The video shows what Flynn described as an argument between himself and an officer after being arrested last December. At the time, he was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a police officer and resisting or obstructing a police officer for allegedly threatening a neighbor with a firearm.

Flynn said he asked to be taken out of handcuffs because of back pain. One of the officers responded by threatening to chain him to the bench. Flynn told KTMS that he cursed at the officer before saying, "chain me to the bench."

At that point, the officers -- identified as Richard P. Garcia and Danny Salcido -- can be seen charging at Flynn and pushing him against the wall. One of them then starts striking Flynn in the midsection with his knee. The officers then throw him face-first into the cell wall before dragging him to the ground.

Flynn has since said that he spent two days in intensive care as a result of the incident after suffering a brain hemorrhage, broken ribs and a fractured skull.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reported that the two officers were placed on administrative leave, as Flynn filed a civil lawsuit against the city for $12.5 million.

"The allegations against both officers were reviewed," Police Chief Jaime Montoya said in a statement. "It was found that these officers violated internal policies and procedures which warranted their discharge from employment with the Las Cruces Police Department."

The charges against Flynn are still pending, and state authorities are determining whether to pursue criminal charges against Garcia and Salcido, as well.

Watch KTSM's report, as aired on Wednesday, below.