Officer Acquitted in Handcuffed Beating Assault

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - A Prince George's County jury Thursday cleared a county police officer of charges that he used excessive force after a police chase in 2003, despite a videotape that appeared to show the officer striking the suspect while handcuffed.

Cpl. Brian Addis, 31, faced charges of second-degree assault and making a false entry on a public record. Both charges are misdemeanors.

Prosecutors alleged that in October 2003, Addis kneed a handcuffed carjacking suspect in the groin, then struck him with a police baton.

But jurors said they believed Addis' testimony during the trial that he did not know if the carjacking suspect was armed. Jurors said they played the video from a camera on Addis' cruiser dashboard about three dozen times and determined that he had not acted improperly.

"He was clearly within his rights," said Ed Oblas, 47, of Bowie. Oblas said that jurors did not believe that the carjacker had been completely subdued by police during the incident.

Leaving the courthouse, Addis said "I'm happy" but would not comment further on the jury's decision.

Prince George's County and the Justice Department signed an agreement last year meant to address numerous cases of excessive force. The county has taken several steps, which includes greater scrutiny of officers actions by the department, to reduce misconduct. Despite that, county prosecutors have had difficulty winning convictions against county officers accused of wrongdoing in recent years.

State's Attorney Glenn Ivey said he would refer the case to the Justice Department's Office of Civil Rights. He said the county has consulted with federal prosecutors on the case since Addis was indicted.

Ivey said he was surprised by the verdict and he thought the tape "speaks for itself."

Prosecutors made the videotape the centerpiece of their case, saying it depicted excessive force.

Vernon Bullock, now 22, stole a van at gunpoint and led police on a high-speed chase through Greenbelt and Beltsville before crashing into a guardrail exiting the Baltimore Washington Parkway at Route 197.

The tape shows a dazed Bullock stumble out of the van onto the ground. Addis and other officers involved in the chase soon swarm around him.

Addis appears to kick Bullock as he lay on the ground and swing his baton at him several times. It is not clear whether the kicks or baton blows landed.

Other officers handcuff Bullock, at which point the tape appears to show Addis kneeing him and striking him with his baton.

Addis however testified that he did not know if Bullock had a gun. A handgun was later found in the van.

Bullock pleaded guilty last year to carjacking and weapons charges, and is now serving a seven year prison sentence. He testified Tuesday that Addis struck him several times but that he passed out soon afterward.

(Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)