A Philadelphia police staff inspector is facing aggravated assault charges after video of him and his fellow officers beating protesters went viral, NBC10 Philadelphia reports.
Joseph Bologna also has been charged with reckless endangerment and “possession of an instrument of crime,” presumably his baton. According to Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, Bologna has been taken off street duty pending an investigation.
NEW TONIGHT: Philadelphia area district attorney will prosecute Philadelphia Police Staff Inspector Joseph Bologna on a charge of Aggravated Assault for busting open the head of a college student by hitting him with a police baton during protests. @CBSPhilly pic.twitter.com/6SixH8BwU1
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 6, 2020
The video shows Bologna hitting a 21-year-old Temple University student in the head and neck area with his baton, knocking the student to the ground before another officer comes in and pins down the student with his knee. As NBC1o points out, Evan Gorski, the attorney for the engineering student, said Friday that his client was at home recovering from his injuries after being in custody for almost 40 hours earlier this week.
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