Jury Finds Former Houston Policeman Not Guilty of Official Oppression

HOUSTON (AP) _ A former Houston police officer found not guilty of official oppression in the videotaped beating of a 15-year-old burglary suspect says he has no regrets but will take a “deep breath” before deciding whether to go back into law enforcement.

Andrew Blomberg was the first of four fired police officers to stand trial for their roles in the alleged March 2010 beating of Chad Holley.

The verdict Wednesday outraged black community leaders. Blomberg, who is white, said his actions to subdue the black teenager were not racially motivated and those who disagree weren’t there.

Defense attorney Dick DeGuerin praised the jury’s verdict and called Blomberg “a hero.”

But Houston Mayor Annise Parker said the officers will never work in Houston as police no matter their criminal trial verdicts.    

    
     (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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