HOUSTON (AP) _ Leaders of Houston’s black community are expressing outrage after a jury found a former police officer not guilty of official oppression in the beating of a 15-year-old burglary suspect.
Andrew Blomberg is the first of four fired police officers to stand trial in the alleged beating of Chad Holley in March 2010. Security camera footage of Holley’s arrest shows the black teen face down on the ground surrounded by at least five officers who appear to kick and hit his head, abdomen and legs.
During his trial, Houston’s police chief testified that he believed Blomberg, who is white, stomped on the teen. But Blomberg denied it and said the teenager refused to comply with an order to put his hands behind his back.
Holley testified that he didn’t resist arrest and lost consciousness during the daylight attack.
Community activists reacted to the verdict with anger in a hallway outside the courtroom, shouting “Racism!” and “Injustice!” Rev. James Dixon says the verdict tells every black child in Houston that their life is worthless.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)