Phili Cop Who Sucker Punched Puerto Rican Woman will Be Charged With Assault
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From [HERE] The former Philadelphia Police veteran caught on video hitting a woman will be charged with assault, according to the president of the Fraternal Order of Police. Back in October, cell phone video was released showing former Lt. Jonathan Josey hitting a woman at the Festival de la Americas following the Philadelphia Puerto Rican Day Parade on Sept. 30. The video received more than 1.5 million views on YouTube.
The incident happened near 5th and Lehigh Streets in North Philadelphia, after the parade on the Parkway. Parade organizers say they had nothing to do with the North Philadelphia event.
Officials say Aida Guzman of Chester was spraying silly string at officers involved in a traffic stop when she was hit by Josey. Her face was bleeding as officers took her away. Guzman was cited for disorderly conduct but the charge was subsequently dropped.
She doesn't speak much English, but told NBC10 "I feel angry, very angry. I go to someplace, got a good time and look this happen, for no reason". Mayor Michael Nutter apologized to Guzman for the incident days later.
But Guzman's She says she is content with the decision to charge Josey with assault. Her lawyer, Enrique Latoison, told NBC10 Wednesday that Josey never apologized to his client.
Josey was a decorated supervisor with the Highway Patrol -- a 19-year veteran of the force. He was suspended and then fired after the video surfaced.The Fraternal Order of Police told NBC10 they would defend Josey "to the end." Union president John McNesby cautioned people not to judge the incident by a small clip of video. On Oct. 28, the FOP held a five-hour, $30 per person, fundraiser for the lieutenant.
On Wednesday, McNesby told NBC10 that District Attorney Seth Williams will charge Josey for the incident. According to McNesby, Josey will be charged with one count of simple assault, a misdemeanor. McNesby claimed he was "disappointed" in Williams' decision.
"There are clearly two sets of rules here in Philadelphia," said McNesby. "One for police officers and one for the community. We don't believe he should be charged. You never see someone arrested for simple assault in the city. Never. It's always a private criminal complaint. Whatever the reasoning is, it is. So we'll deal with it."
McNesby also told NBC10 the FOP still supports Josey and will continue to fight for his job.
NBC10 also spoke with Williams. He told us he wouldn't talk about the charges Wednesday and would make an announcement Thursday.
Josey made headlines before. He was exonerated in the shooting death of a Philadelphia man shortly after the man robbed a convenience store in Lower Merion in March 2010. In July 2010, Josey was stabbed in the back while trying to break up a fight outside a West Philadelphia bar.
