The New York Times reports that Officer David London was acquitted by a Manhattan jury on Monday of second-degree assault, filing false records, falsifying business records and making a false written statement, which left New York community members with mixed feelings.
Officer David London had been accused of repeatedly striking an Iraq war veteran with his baton while the veteran was laying in the lobby of a housing project in Manhattan. The victim was identified as Walter Harvin, who had reportedly suffered from mental problems after returning from Iraq. The police officer was also accused of lying about the details of the confrontation between him and the victim.
David London was seen striking Walter Harvin on a surveillance camera, but New York criminal defense attorneys Stephen C. Worth and Cary London argued that the surveillance videos didn't provide a full view of the provocation and danger the officers faced in the confrontation.
The jury's decision angered the family of Walter Harvin because they say that not punishing the officer is unjust. Supporters of NYPD, however, are happy with the outcome of the case because it shows that people are realizing how police work doesn't always look good in tough situations.
Perhaps this case can give hope to some people who have been accused of an assault crime, especially if they were only acting in self-defense at the time of the incident. Any New Yorker who has been charged with assault or battery should contact a New York criminal defense attorney so that they can be properly defended in court.
Related Resources:
- What Procedures Must the Police Follow While Making an Arrest? (FindLaw)
- Find a New York Criminal Defense Attorney (FindLaw)
- Elements of Assault (FindLaw)
