CHARGES AGAINST MAN BEATEN AT YOUTH CENTER DISMISSED
When police arrived at the center, Ehud Halevy was roused from his sleep and informed that he needed to leave the center. Halevy refused to leave, informing the officers he had the Rabbi’s permission to stay there. However, the officers didn’t listen and attempted to handcuff Halevy and forcibly remove him from the center. Halevy resisted by pulling his hands away from the officer and in the scuffle that ensued, was pepper sprayed, beaten and arrested by the officers.
Halevy found himself facing charges of felonious assault of a police officer, a crime which could land him in prison for seven years.
Although the 21-year-old man was rather groggy from being woken up and was not wearing his glasses, he was quite certain after a few moments of contemplation, that he did not assault an officer.
Fortunately Halevy remembered the Jewish Youth Center had security cameras. Perhaps footage of the camera would show that he was innocent of the charges against him.
The footage of the camera supported Halevy’s version of the incident, not the police officers’ version. Although Halevy did resist the officers’ attempts to place him in handcuffs, he never struck or pushed an officer. However, the video’s footage does show one officer punching the young man in the head and body and the other officer battering him with a baton for approximately two minutes.
After reviewing the video from the security camera, the district attorney’s office decided to dismiss the charges against Mr. Halevy reporting the charges of felonious assault of a police officer could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Ehud Halevy characterized the officers’ actions as “irresponsible and not ethical.”
One officer in the brutal encounter has been placed on modified duty, and investigations have been opened by law enforcement officials into both officers’ conduct.
The vast majority of law enforcement officers are both honest and trustworthy, and do their best to make sure justice is served. Unfortunately, not all officers are honest, as proven by the two Ehud Halevy encountered, and their dishonesty can lead to wrongful convictions.
It is important if you have been arrested for a criminal offense to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. An experienced criminal defense lawyer has the skills, legal knowledge and trial experience to aggressively and effectively represent you against all charges.