>that is > >they had him on a seat belt violation > >could he justify his refusal to comply with subsequent >demands > >as he didn't want to incriminate himself further
no. not at all.
>they got the seatbelt violation, and could have just wrote the >ticket > >but I'm missing how a traffic stop turns into probable cause, >etc...
the cops could order him out of the car. they're allowed to do so during a traffic stop.
but they didn't have to.
i don't expect these officers will be criminally charged as they didn't commit any crime here. but i do see the brother's excessive force claim in federal civil court.