(VIDEO OF INCIDENT BELOW)
SMH. Yet another case of men in blue severely injuring a black man and lying about it has emerged.
The Philadelphia Police Department called a press conference this week to address new surveillance video that revealed the corrupt and brutal actions of two of their own two years ago. The incident involved Officers Kevin Robinson and Sean McKnight who have been arrested charged with Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Criminal Conspiracy, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Tampering with Public Records or Information, False Reports to Law Enforcement Authorities, Obstructing Administration of Law, and Official Oppression.
Via ABC6 reports:
In a Thursday morning press conference, Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said the two officers were seen on video beating 23-year-old Najee Rivera.
Around 10:00 p.m. on May 29, 2013, near North 7th and Somerset streets, McKnight, a seven year veteran of the force, and Robinson, a six year veteran of the force, both of the 25th Police District pulled over Rivera on his motor scooter.
Robinson and McKnight said Rivera was injured after falling off his scooter and hitting the pavement.
In the officers’ story, they said Rivera resisted arrest, tried to grab a police baton, and that’s when one of the officers hit him in the face.
Police charged Rivera with resisting arrest and aggravated assault. However, prior to the case going to court, a surveillance video emerged from a nearby store.
Rivera’s girlfriend had been searching for video that captured the incident.
SMH… The lies they tell. Good thing Rivera’s girlfriend was persistent. That video put all the lies to bed.
Williams said Rivera didn’t just fall off his scooter, but one of the officers can be seen on the video reaching out the window of the patrol car and clubbing Rivera in the head.
The patrol car, without sirens or lights flashing, bumped the scooter and Rivera fell to the ground.
Both officers got out of the vehicle, Williams said, and repeatedly struck Rivera with their fists and baton.
“He never resisted. He never struck them. He never fought back. They just started hitting him,” Williams said.
Williams said Rivera can be heard screaming for help on the video.
After the beating, the D.A. says Rivera was handcuffed and for several minutes they kept him there while he was bleeding.
Rivera received a fractured orbital bone and numerous lacerations to his head.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey says Robinson and McKnight have been suspended for 30 days with intent to dismiss from the force.
They were removed from street duty in 2013 when Ramsey became aware of the new facts.
Rivera filed a lawsuit in federal court and won a $200,000 settlement from the city. Thank God for his girlfriend going after that video. She’s a good one Najee, you might want to wife her!
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