Baltimore police officer caught on video punching man bloody pleads not guilty
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On Wednesday, Arthur Williams, the brutal cop caught on camera brutally beating a Baltimore man, appeared in court in shackles and a yellow jumpsuit to plead not guilty to assault and misconduct.
Williams resigned from his job after an “active criminal investigation” was launched into the vicious beating of 26-year-old Dashawn McGrier that was caught on tape and quickly went viral.
—Baltimore police officer resigns after video of him brutally punching man goes viral—
The victim, McGrier, was reportedly stopped by Williams and an argument ensued after Williams initially let McGrier go before coming back and demanding to see identification.
“He attacked a citizen without justification,” Assistant State’s Attorney StacyAnn Llewellyn told Judge Charles Peters, the Baltimore Sun reports. Llewellyn argued that Williams needed to be remanded until his trial saying it was a “threat to the community.”
Williams’ attorney, however insisted that the police officer who had just joined the force in April was harmless and cited his accomplishments as a Marine sergeant, a young husband and father, and said he takes care of his disabled mother.
Llewellyn’s objection to his release was over-ruled and Williams was released but cannot be in possession of a gun or make contact with McGrier.
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McGrier’s attorney, Warren Brown, said his client was taunted and harassed for months by Williams.
“There were obviously some prior contacts,” said Maronick, the officer’s attorney. “I can’t get into specifics.”
Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced the indictment by a grand jury on first- and second-degree assault and misconduct in office charges against Arthur Williams on Tuesday.
Williams trial is scheduled for October 23 in Baltimore Circuit Court.
