You might remember this from a while back. [url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/26/jonathan-josey-not-guilty_n_2767703.html?utm_hp_ref=crime]Well, the cop had his day in court today[/url]. He claims he lunged at her to knock the bottle out of her hand after she refused to drop it, as he thought she threw beer at him even though the video shows someone else flicking something from a bottle.
The judge, who came to the no guilty verdict WITHOUT A JURY, seems to think the video "didn't tell the whole story", with a district attorney also stating, "Let's be clear there were no winners on that day in September. While I believe Jonathan Josey was guilty of simple assault this is not the time to dwell on that and I hope as a community we can move past this."
What bullshit.
-
Hmmn. See, looking at the way that he moved in the attack, I'm tempted to believe the idea that he was trying to knock a bottle out of her hand - it was near her face at the time, and the way he was swinging his arm just wasn't consistent with the act of punching her. But even allowing for the general mania of public order law enforcement, trying to knock the bottle out of her hand just isn't the appropriate way to respond to that. Take it off her, fine - but not in the way that he was trying to. The judge even said that Josey was guilty of simple assault. I'd be inclined to convict, but be very lenient with the punishment. He has already been fired from the police, that should be enough.