Jury finds Petersburg Police officer guilty in Beating of Black Man

February 25, 2005 Tron Nick

Lamont Koonce in Coma For Two Months

Former Petersburg police officer Michael Perkins was found guilty yesterday on a federal charge stemming from an October 2003 incident in which he twice kicked a motionless suspect. "Today's verdict is a triumph for the cause of justice and the rule of law," said U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty in a statement released to the media. "It sends a clear message to law enforcement that the civil rights of citizens must at all times be protected." Perkins pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charge of depriving Lamont C. Koonce of his civil rights under color of law. Throughout the trial, prosecutors argued that Perkins used excessive force in kicking Koonce, who was lying motionless on the ground. Perkins' defense said he acted reasonably under police procedures. The jury deliberated for about four hours before returning its guilty verdict. The defense called one witness yesterday, Sgt. John Waldren of the Petersburg Police Department. Waldren testified that police general orders state a foot is an acceptable weapon. "The only thing you can do with a foot is kick," said defense attorney David P. Baugh. Perkins did not testify. Koonce, a Petersburg resident, was stopped in his car by former officers Michael Tweedy and David E. House Oct. 13, 2003. Koonce fled and was wrestled to the ground. According to witness testimony, Tweedy stomped Koonce's head three times as Koonce lay face down. While off duty, Perkins responded to Tweedy's call for backup. When he arrived at the scene, witnesses said Perkins ran and kicked Koonce two times in the torso. Perkins did not know Koonce had already been beaten. Koonce's injuries were considered life threatening and included bruising to the right brain, a collapsed lung and an open wound to the thorax. He remained in a coma for eight weeks at the Medical College of Virginia. Prosecutors told the jury in closing arguments that Perkins' kicks were meant to punish Koonce. "This case is about a police officer who came to the scene of an arrest not to protect and serve, but to get his licks in," said Amy Pope, a special rights lawyer working for the prosecution. "Common sense tells you that kicking a man that's on the ground is just wrong," Pope said. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. [ more ] and [ more ]