29 seconds ago 2009-11-26T20:29:44-08:00
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The attorney for a police officer shown on video striking an unarmed San Jose State University student with a baton says the student was to blame for the incident.
Terry Bowman, who represents Officer Kenneth Siegel, says 20-year-old Phuong Ho was being "combative and noncompliant" when officers tried to arrest him.
The cell phone video, recorded by Ho's roommate, shows Siegel hitting Ho repeatedly with a baton and Officer Steven Payne Jr. using a stun gun on him. Police were called Sept. 3 after Ho allegedly threatened a roommate with a steak knife.
Payne's attorney, Craig Brown, also says Ho resisted arrest.
Siegel, Payne and two others at the scene have been placed on leave as authorities investigate the incident.
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Information from: San Jose Mercury News, http://www.sjmercury.com
