| Graphic Footage of Cops Beating Teen Roils Houston |
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AOLNews Feb4, 2011 – 10:05 AM Video of police repeatedly kicking and stomping a teenage burglary suspect haspassions running high in Houston, with community activists charging the citywith a cover-up and the mayor fearing that release of the footage may end upjeopardizing a pending trial of officers charged in the case. The video taken March 24 shows a number of policemen surrounding then 15-year-old Chad Holley, who is face down on the street after being chased by patrol cars. The officers can be seen kicking, punching and stomping Holley, and some of the blows appear to have been administered after he had been handcuffed. Twelve officers were disciplined in the case, and four have been fired and are awaiting trial on official oppression charges, ABC affiliate KTRK-TV reported. The station was given a copy of the video by local activist Quanell X and aired it Wednesday night. City officials had said they wanted the video kept underwraps until the trial began. Mayor Annise Parker, who told KTRK she was "shocked and disgusted" when she first saw the video, nevertheless complained that the person who gave it to the TV station should be prosecuted. Later, the mayor tempered her stance. "I was angry and frustrated," Parker told the station Thursday. "Having slept on it, I would not have been so harsh." But the beating continues to stir emotions in Houston's minority community. |
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