Balanced News Blog

Three New Orleans police officers were filmed beating a 64-year-old man during a weekend arrest in the French Quarter Monday on a Bourbon Street sidewalk. The footage showed the officers hitting the man repeatedly in the head, but didn’t show the man resisting arrest. The film later showed the man lying on the ground, his arms restrained behind him, his face and shirt covered in blood.

64-year old Robert Davis is a retired elementary school teacher who had returned to New Orleans to check on his family’s property. Police claim that Robert Davis was drunk, but Mr. Davis says that he hasn’t had a drink in years and was only out looking to buy cigarrettes. He said the he approached an officer to ask about the curfew when another officer interrupted, and that he tried to cross the street and was attacked. Mr. Davis says he is baffled by the incident.

The officers tell a different story; Davis was booked on public intoxication, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and public intimidation. Police Superintendent Warren Riley said any misconduct would be dealt with, and that what was shown on television was only a portion of the film. A trial has been set for January 11.

Source: Mercury News