Louisiana trooper acquitted after he was caught on camera beating Black motorist with flashlight
A federal jury in Louisiana on Wednesday acquitted a white state trooper charged with violating the civil rights of a Black motorist despite body-camera footage that showed the officer pummeling the man 18 times with a flashlight. The case of Jacob Brown was the first to emerge from a series of FBI investigations into troopers’ beatings of Black men during traffic stops in Louisiana and underscored the challenges prosecutors face convicting law enforcement officials accused of using excessive force. After a three-day trial in Monroe, jurors found Mr Brown not guilty of depriving Aaron Bowman of his civil rights during a 2019 beating that left Mr Bowman with a broken jaw, broken ribs and a gash to his head. Mr Brown, who defended the blows to investigators as “ pain compliance,” would have faced up to a decade in federal prison if convicted. Mr Brown’s defence attorney, Scott Wolleson, told The Associated Press he was grateful for the verdict. "The men and women of the jury recognized the risks law enforcement officers like Jacob Brown face on our behalf every day,” he said. Mr Bowman’s attorney, Ron Haley, said the acquittal “shows it’s incredibly hard to prove a civil rights violation in federal court.” He added that the attack had “fundamentally changed” Mr Bowman’s life. “He was low-hanging fruit for Jacob Brown,” Mr Haley said. “Because he’s looked at as just a drug user, he was treated like he wasn’t human.” The acquittal comes as federal prosecutors are still scrutinizing other Louisiana state troopers caught on body-camera video punching, stunning and dragging another Black motorist, Ronald Greene, before he died in their custody on a rural roadside. That federal probe is also examining whether police brass obstructed justice to protect the troopers who beat Greene following a high-speed chase. Body-camera footage of both the Bowman and Greene beatings, which took place less than three weeks and 20 miles apart, remained under wraps before the AP obtained and published the videos in 2021. The cases were among a dozen highlighted in an AP investigation that revealed a pattern of troopers and their bosses ignoring or concealing evidence of beatings, deflecting blame and impeding efforts to root out misconduct. State police didn’t investigate the MrBowman attack until 536 days after it occurred and only did so weeks after Mr Bowman brought a civil lawsuit. It ultimately determined Mr Brown “engaged in excessive and unjustifiable actions," failed to report the use of force to his supervisors and “intentionally mislabeled” his body-camera video. The AP found Mr Brown, who patrolled in northern Louisiana, was involved in 23 use-of-force incidents between 2015 and his 2021 resignation — 19 of which targeted Black people. Mr Brown still faces state charges in the violent arrest of yet another Black motorist, a case in which he boasted in a group chat with other troopers that “it warms my heart knowing we could educate that young man.” In the wake of the AP's reporting, the US Justice Department last year opened a sweeping civil rights investigation into the state police that remains ongoing. On the night that Mr Bowman was pulled over for “improper lane usage,” Mr Brown came upon the scene after deputies had forcibly removed Mr Bowman from his vehicle and taken him to the ground in the driveaway of his Monroe home. Video and police records show he beat Mr Bowman 18 times with a flashlight in 24 seconds. “I’m not resisting! I’m not resisting!” Mr Bowman can be heard screaming between blows. Mr Brown is the son of Bob Brown, a longtime trooper who oversaw statewide criminal investigations and, before retiring, was the agency’s chief of staff. The elder Mr Brown rose to the agency's second in command despite being reprimanded years earlier for calling Black colleagues the n-word and hanging a Confederate flag in his office.
2023-08-05 21:50
Area 51 ‘baseball field’ prompts entertaining conspiracy theories
A satellite image of Area 51 showing what looks to be a baseball diamond has fans coming up with some wild conspiracy theories to explain it.Men are from Mars. Women are from Venus. Are MLB superstars like Shohei Ohtani possibly from a galaxy even further away than our own? It would explain the ...
2023-08-05 21:48
Man Utd 3-1 RC Lens: Player ratings as Red Devils come from behind in pre-season friendly
Match report and player ratings from Manchester United's pre-season friendly against Ligue 1 runners-up RC Lens
2023-08-05 21:48
Who is Nate Diaz's mother? MMA star who will be fighting Jake Paul was taught 'non-violence' by his mother
Nate Diaz is going to fight Jake Paul at MMA on August 5 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas
2023-08-05 21:48
Seventeen-year-old turns himself in for fatal O’Shae Sibley stabbing at Brooklyn gas station, report says
A 17-year-old who police believe fatally stabbed a man dancing outside a gas station in Brooklyn has reportedly turned himself in to authorities. The teenager is now in police custody, according to CNN. Police believe the teen stabbed O'Shae Sibley, a man who was dancing and posing to a Beyonce song at a gas station with his friends on the day of the attack. A large group of men reportedly approached Mr Sibley and his friends and began hurling homophobic slurs at them. The slurs and harassment eventually caused a confrontation, according to an NYPD spokesperson. Otis Pena, a witness, told police one of the men stabbed his friend, Mr Sibley, in the torso. He died in the hospital. Police are investigating whether or not the fatal stabbing was a hate crime.
2023-08-05 21:47
Why isn't Rasmus Hojlund playing for Man Utd vs Lens?
Despite Manchester United having officially announced Rasmus Hojlund's £72m arrival at Old Trafford, the striuker is missing a friendly with RC Lens and may be sidelined through injury for several weeks.
2023-08-05 21:30
Police probe as two dogs found dead in lake with weight attached
Police have appealed for information after two dogs were found dead in a lake in Co Tyrone. A report was sent to police that the dogs had been found with a weight attached to them in the lake in the Carricklongfield Road area of Aughnacloy. The PSNI said a post-mortem examination will be carried out and they were in touch with the local dog warden. Inspector Hughes said: “Officers received a report that the dogs were found weighted down in the water shortly after 7pm on Friday August 4. “The dogs were removed from the lake and have been taken to a vet where a post-mortem will be carried out in due course. We are engaging with the local dog warden. “Anyone who noticed anything suspicious is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 1562 of 04/08/23.” A report can be submitted online through the PSNI’s non-emergency reporting form, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online. Read More Horrifying moment woman fights off grinning sex attacker who targeted six victims Harrowing CCTV shows road rage driver tailgating grandfather before killing him with single punch Teenager smashes Mercedes into garage while family at home in Derby
2023-08-05 21:28
Joshua fight canceled after Whyte's doping test shows 'adverse' findings
Matchroom Boxing says that Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight rematch against Anthony Joshua has been canceled after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” on a doping test
2023-08-05 21:27
Netherlands vs. South Africa: How to watch Women's World Cup last-16 tie
The Netherlands and South Africa will face each other on Saturday for a place in the Women's World Cup quarterfinals, in what will be a historic occasion as Banyana Banyana's first ever knockout stage match at the World Cup.
2023-08-05 21:24
Rio Ferdinand calls for patience for Rasmus Hojlund after Man Utd transfer
Rio Ferdinand tells 90min what he expects from new Man Utd signing Rasmus Hojlund.
2023-08-05 21:24
Aaron Ramsey: Riches of Saudi league no contest for ‘priceless’ Cardiff return
Aaron Ramsey says the riches of the Saudi Pro League could not compete with his “priceless” return to Cardiff. The Wales captain had the opportunity this summer to become the first British player to join Saudi Arabia’s lucrative league, ahead of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson moving there last month. But Ramsey put family first and returned to hometown club Cardiff, where he made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in April 2007 to break John Toshack’s record as the Bluebirds’ youngest-ever player. “There was an offer and there’s plenty of benefits to that offer over there,” said former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder Ramsey, speaking about the Saudi Pro League interest for the first time. “But for me, it wasn’t the right time or the right thing to do for me, my career and for my family. “It can be very appealing and probably depends on a lot of things, on what you’ve done financially, if you’re secure or not and things like that. “For another individual, it might be life changing, but for me, being around my family and things like that is priceless. So you couldn’t put a figure on that. It's a hot topic at the moment. Obviously, there are financial rewards for going there - probably very rewarding - and a lot of players can't see past that sort of thing Aaron Ramsey on the Saudi Pro League Saudi Arabia has emerged as a powerful influence in world football that has seen a huge influx of talent to the Saudi Pro League. It is estimated that Saudi Arabia’s football-related spending has exceeded £3.5billion in the past two years with a host of players following Cristiano Ronaldo to the Middle East kingdom. Ramsey told Sky Sports: “It’s a hot topic at the moment. Obviously, there are financial rewards for going there – probably very rewarding – and a lot of players can’t see past that sort of thing. “I think obviously it depends on the individual situation. I think I’ve been very fortunate in my career that I’ve done OK so far. “So there’s plenty of factors that go into people’s decisions, but I’ve made mine based on my situation.” Ramsey makes his third Cardiff debut – he had a short loan spell there in 2011 after suffering serious injury at Arsenal – at Leeds on Sunday with excitement swirling around the Bluebirds. Despite being under an EFL transfer embargo that has prevented them from paying fees for players, new boss Erol Bulut has strengthened a squad that flirted with relegation from the Sky Bet Championship last season. Bulut has signed six players in total with former Reading striker Yakou Meite and West Brom loanee Karlan Grant among the arrivals. “I like the way the manager has come in and put down his own stamp so far,” said Ramsey. “He’s very positive and so is the style of football that he wants to try and play. “He’s managed Fenerbahce – one of the top teams in Turkey – and is used to the expectations and pressures at the highest level to be able to perform and to win games. “The club had some great years at the highest level and that is something we want to try and bring back here. “So hopefully not too long in the future, we can see Cardiff back in the Premier League.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Katie Zelem admits World Cup debut was ‘tough moment’ after Keira Walsh injury Arsenal will need ‘unheard of’ points tally to win title – Mikel Arteta Pep Guardiola expects Arsenal summer signings to take them to the next level
2023-08-05 21:21
Lebanon seeks to reassure Gulf, Germany after travel warnings
BEIRUT Lebanon's caretaker premier Najib Mikati said on Saturday there was no cause for "concern or panic" about
2023-08-05 21:19
