Police in New Orleans Caught Abusing Suspect and News Producer
[Update: (TL)] The three officers have been arrested, charged with battery and released pending further court proceedings.
Update: Crooks and Liars has the video.
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by TChris
Police officers in New Orleans were recently caught on tape beating an intoxicated man.
The APTN tape shows an officer hitting the man at least four times in the head Saturday night as he stood outside a bar near Bourbon Street. The suspect, Robert Davis, appeared to resist, twisting and flailing as he was dragged to the ground by four officers. Another of the four officers then kneed Davis and punched him twice. Davis was face-down on the sidewalk with blood streaming down his arm and into the gutter.
Although the police department claims that race was not an issue, Davis was black and the unidentified officers -- some of whom were local, while others were not -- appeared be white or light skinned.
The officers were camera shy.
Meanwhile, a fifth officer ordered APTN producer Rich Matthews and the cameraman to stop recording. When Matthews held up his credentials and explained he was working, the officer grabbed the producer, leaned him backward over a car, jabbed him in the stomach and unleashed a profanity-laced tirade.
New Orleans police are already under scrutiny for their involvement in looting. They may have stolen vehicles, as well:
On Friday, state authorities said they were investigating allegations that New Orleans police broke into a dealership and made off with nearly 200 cars - including 41 new Cadillacs - as the storm closed in.
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