Current:Home > reviewsEx-officer acquitted of assault in 2020 encounter with racial injustice protester in Philadelphia -AssetScope
Ex-officer acquitted of assault in 2020 encounter with racial injustice protester in Philadelphia
View
Date:2025-04-12 20:40:20
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A former Philadelphia police inspector has been acquitted of assault in the use of a baton during an encounter with a protester in a 2020 racial injustice demonstration.
Jurors acquitted 57-year-old Joseph Bologna on Wednesday of charges of simple assault and possessing an instrument of crime in the incident recorded on video during June 2020 protests on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway following the death of George Floyd, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Defense attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. told jurors during closing arguments that his client’s life over the past 3 1/2 years since his arrest had been a “nightmare.” He cited the city police code section saying use of force is justified when a person resists arrest or appears to threaten bodily harm. He also said Bologna’s choice to strike as the then-21-year-old Temple University student tried to intervene in another arrest was a “quick decision” in a “rapidly evolving” situation.
Perri said a medical examination found that the protester was never struck directly on the head with the baton. He said an internal affairs investigation found no evidence of departmental violations on the part of the officer.
Bologna was fired after video of the encounter circulated widely on social media and other reports surfaced about his actions during the unrest.
The Inquirer reported that before deliberations began, prosecution and defense had agreed that testimony by the city medical examiner would have told jurors the person was struck with the baton on the upper back, not the head, and his bloody laceration came from the officer’s bike helmet.
Prosecutors argued that the use of force was not typical, pointing to testimony from a former Utah officer turned researcher and teacher who said the protester wasn’t in a position to harm the officer when he was struck.
Bologna was originally charged with multiple counts including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, but a judge in 2021 dismissed the charges. Another judge later reinstated the two counts on which Bologna was tried.
veryGood! (467)
Related
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- The Daily Money: Markets react to Election 2024
- Ready-to-eat meat, poultry recalled over listeria risk: See list of affected products
- Real Housewives of New York City Star’s Pregnancy Reveal Is Not Who We Expected
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins
- Auburn surges, while Kansas remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll
- Jack Del Rio leaving Wisconsin’s staff after arrest on charge of operating vehicle while intoxicated
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Kyle Richards Shares an Amazing Bottega Dupe From Amazon Along With Her Favorite Fall Trends
Ranking
- US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
- Megan Fox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby With Machine Gun Kelly
- Wind-whipped wildfire near Reno prompts evacuations but rain begins falling as crews arrive
- Kevin Costner Shares His Honest Reaction to John Dutton's Controversial Fate on Yellowstone
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- 'We suffered great damage': Fierce California wildfire burns homes, businesses
- Gavin Rossdale Makes Rare Public Appearance With Girlfriend Xhoana Xheneti
- Police capture Tennessee murder suspect accused of faking his own death on scenic highway
Recommendation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
Biden funded new factories and infrastructure projects, but Trump might get to cut the ribbons
South Carolina lab recaptures 5 more escaped monkeys but 13 are still loose
Man accused of killing American tourist in Budapest, putting her body in suitcase: Police
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Ready-to-eat meat, poultry recalled over listeria risk: See list of affected products
Brian Austin Green’s Fiancée Sharna Burgess Celebrates Megan Fox’s Pregnancy News
NATO’s Rutte calls for more Western support for Ukraine, warns of Russian alliances