Trial Begins for Two Md. Officers Accused of Beating Student
The assault trial of two Prince George’s County (Md.) Police officers charged with beating a student after a basketball game is expected to get underway today, reports the Washington Post.
Officers Reginald Baker and James Harrison were captured on video striking 19-year-old student John McKenna with their batons following the University of Maryland’s men’s basketball team’s victory over rival Duke in March of 2010.
The FBI indicted the two officers last year. Two other officers were also suspended for the incident.
The department’s Chief Roberto Hylton has said he was “disappointed” by his officers’ conduct as seen on the tape, which shows officers in riot gear pushing a student into a wall, then striking him repeatedly with batons.
The video does not show all that preceded the incident.
McKenna, was charged with assaulting officer John Ardozini and willfully acting in a disorderly manner. However, the video did not show McKenna attacking the officer.
Prince George’s County police arrested 28 people during the civil unrest that followed the basketball game. Officers say they were pelted with snow and ice balls. One officer reported being punched in the face.
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