Trial of two Palo Alto Officers who Beat Down 61 Year Old Black Man is delayed until March
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 06:32PM
TheSpook
The trial of two rookie Palo Alto police officers charged with
assaulting a motorist in 2003 was postponed Wednesday to March 7
because of scheduling issues. Michael Kan, 27, and Craig Lee, 42, are
charged with committing felony assault under color of authority in
connection with a July 2003 incident in which they allegedly pepper
sprayed and beat with batons Palo Alto resident Albert Hopkins, 61.
Prosecutors say there was no reason to use force on Hopkins, who was
not committing a crime. Attorneys for Kan and Lee have said the
officers' use of pepper spray and batons was necessary because Hopkins
made aggressive motions toward them. Kan and Lee have been placed on
administrative leave. Defense attorneys are seeking access to further
information about past lawsuits that involved Hopkins. A hearing on
that request is scheduled for Friday in San Jose. [more]
Settlement reached in police brutality case [more]