- Police Brutality Watch

Charges Against Jhontez Watson Dropped

There is a new development tonight involving videotape that shows a Minneapolis police officer apparently kicking a suspect in the head. This videotape, obtained exclusively by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS shows police trying to arrest Jhontez Watson in downtown Minneapolis in June of 2003. While Watson is on the ground, Ofc. John Lalazurne could be seen in the footage kicking him in the head. Two other officers said Watson hit them that night. Watson was charged with assault but those charges have now been dropped. The county attorney's office says the tape was a factor in dismissing the charges. It was not available when the charges were initially filed. Watson's mother, Gertrude Touray, and girlfriend, Patrice Boney, said Watson was involved in a shoving match with police outside the Quest nightclub before the the videotape began. "They were saying things to him and he was saying things back and then they started shoving," Touray said. "He pushed the police officer off of him and he ran." After the kick, police wrestled with Watson to get him into the squad car. [more] and [more] and [more] SEE Video [here] or [here]