Police Brutality Trial Ends With Hung Jury
by TChris
A second trial against a former police officer accused of using excessive force against a California teenager has ended in a hung jury. Prosecutors argued that a videotape presented clear evidence that Inglewood police officer Jeremy Morse used excessive force when he slammed a handcuffed teenager into the hood of a car and punched him in the face. Defense lawyers had argued that the teenager grabbed Morse's groin during a struggle. The teenager, Donovan Jackson, testified that he did not fight with the officers.
The jury was split 6-6, forcing a mistrial. An earlier trial also ended in a mistrial after jurors divided 7-5 in favor of conviction. It is unlikely that the prosecution will seek a third trial in light of the outcome of the first two.
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