37 replies to this topic

[Johnny Rockets]

I dont come into the Tinderbox much so sorry if there is a thread on this already but how in the world can this cop be acquited with such damning video evidence?





http://www.philly.co...n_the_face.html

WE'RE NOT STUPID. We know what we saw. And what we saw was a big, muscular cop cold-cock a small, unarmed woman who was moving away from him.

Lt. Jonathan Josey slugged Aida Guzman in the face with her back turned to him. As she fell to the ground, he hit her in the back, too. The video, shot by a bystander after last September's Puerto Rican Day Parade, caught it all, including Guzman's bloodied mouth as she was cuffed and led away.


After viewing the video, Philly Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey did the right thing and fired Josey.

District Attorney Seth Wiliams did the responsible thing and brought assault charges against him.

Mayor Nutter did the gracious thing and apologized to Guzman, on behalf of the city, for Josey's behavior, which left him feeling "appalled . . . sickened . . . and ashamed."

But on Tuesday, Municipal Judge Patrick Dugan made a mockery of justice by declaring Josey not guilty of simple assault.

[Floppin]

Judges and Cops........... I mean is this a serious question as to why?

[Darth Biscuit]

Yeah, I don't know how any reasonable person could look at that and say "not guilty" of assault. She certainly wasn't doing anything threatening enough to get punched out... not that that's really an appropriate police technique anyway...

[g5jamz]

What were the reasons he was acquitted. What do you feel the reasons are that he was acquitted.

[Floppin]

What were the reasons he was acquitted. What do you feel the reasons are that he was acquitted.

Apparently the defense (ie-bullshit story) was that the cop was trying to knock a beer out of the woman's hand (why? because he's a cop and stuff and such) and inadvertently hit her in the face.

hahahaha

anyhow, here's an article that explains this nonsense.

http://www.philly.co...xperts_say.html

[mmmbeans]

what an amazing excuse.

[stirs]

Too uncoordinated to be a cop if the beer thing is his excuse. Just think if he had pulled his gun, no telling who he might have shot.

[MadHatter]

Was it a jury trial that acquitted him? Or, just the judge making a decree?

Because if there was not more to the story than what the video showed, I don't see how the guy was not found guilty of assault.

[Floppin]

Was it a jury trial that acquitted him? Or, just the judge making a decree?

Because if there was not more to the story than what the video showed, I don't see how the guy was not found guilty of assault.

Just the judge. Simple assault doesn't require a 12 person jury.

[MadHatter]

Wow....don't see how a sane person could say not guilty.

I imagine the judge will get a ton of public heat for this.

I am sure the woman said something to provoke him. But, his actions were WAY over the line.

I imagine she will file a civil suit.....and she should.

[Inimicus]

Was it a jury trial that acquitted him? Or, just the judge making a decree?

Because if there was not more to the story than what the video showed, I don't see how the guy was not found guilty of assault.

I wont say never but its got to be extraordinarily rare to empanel a jury for a simple assault.

[Happy Panther]

It's not impossible that he was trying to slap a drink out of her hand. I think beyond a reasonable doubt comes into play. I'm guessing he would not have gotten jail time for this but community service and a fine.

He already lost his job which is punishment enough.

[g5jamz]

Video shows a dude throwing beer/liquid on the cops and the woman is coming from a direction generally the same as the fella retreated. Cop probably thought she was the one that did it and went to smack the beer/drink from her hand and "inadvertantly" hit her in the face. My honest opinion is that in a quick anger moment he wanted to smack the drink out and away from her face and if he happened to hit her...so be it. It is simple assault.

[Happy Panther]

My honest opinion is that in a quick anger moment he wanted to smack the drink out and away from her face and if he happened to hit her...so be it. It is simple assault.

No that is the point. To prove guilt in a simple assault case you have to prove he did it willfully and with intent.

If he hit her by accident it is not simple assault.

[g5jamz]

I know...I'm just saying he intended to "inadvertantely" smack the crap out of her...and knock a drink out of her hand in the process.

But hard to prove intent.