1.800.THE FIRM | 1.800.843.3476
The Cochran Firm Legal Blog
With Office Locations Nationwide
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Police Beat College Student After Sports Celebration
Last month, a University of Maryland basketball team defeated rival Duke University. In the celebration that followed, a celebrating college student approached two police officers. Now prosecutors are investigating the videotaped beating of that student by police, in an apparent case of police brutality.
In the video, student John McKenna is seen approaching the two officers, who were mounted. Two officers on foot are then seen slamming McKenna against a wall, and he falls to the ground. A third policeman joins in hitting the student with nightsticks.
McKenna and another student were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer and of disorderly conduct, though the charges were later dismissed. The attorney for McKenna notes that the video does not show his client striking any officer. The two students plan to sue the police officers involved.
"Not only is the conduct of the officers on tape excessive – and clearly it’s excessive – there are other issues here we need to work through," said police Lt. Andy Ellis.
The Cochran Firm and its experienced personal injury attorneys have prosecuted a number of high-profile civil liberties cases. In this case, the video evidence prompted county police Chief Roberto Hylton to say: "I'll tell you that I was outraged at the video." One police officer has been suspended from duty.
If you are the victim of police brutality, a video may not be available. Even so, you deserve to pursue your claims to justice, and our trained attorneys stand ready to help you do so. For a free consultation, please contact the personal injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm, with offices nationwide, today.
In the video, student John McKenna is seen approaching the two officers, who were mounted. Two officers on foot are then seen slamming McKenna against a wall, and he falls to the ground. A third policeman joins in hitting the student with nightsticks.
McKenna and another student were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an officer and of disorderly conduct, though the charges were later dismissed. The attorney for McKenna notes that the video does not show his client striking any officer. The two students plan to sue the police officers involved.
"Not only is the conduct of the officers on tape excessive – and clearly it’s excessive – there are other issues here we need to work through," said police Lt. Andy Ellis.
The Cochran Firm and its experienced personal injury attorneys have prosecuted a number of high-profile civil liberties cases. In this case, the video evidence prompted county police Chief Roberto Hylton to say: "I'll tell you that I was outraged at the video." One police officer has been suspended from duty.
If you are the victim of police brutality, a video may not be available. Even so, you deserve to pursue your claims to justice, and our trained attorneys stand ready to help you do so. For a free consultation, please contact the personal injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm, with offices nationwide, today.
Labels: main
posted by Benjamin A. Irwin at 9:49 AM
<< Home