Former Philadelphia police inspector acquitted of assault charges in George Floyd protester encounter

A former Philadelphia police inspector, Joseph Bologna, has been acquitted of assault charges stemming from his use of a baton during a 2020 racial injustice demonstration. The incident, recorded on video during protests on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway after the death of George Floyd, resulted in Bologna's acquittal of charges of simple assault and possessing an instrument of crime.

Bologna's defense attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., emphasized to jurors the "nightmare" his client had endured since his arrest 3 1/2 years ago. Perri cited the city police code section allowing the use of force when a person resists arrest or appears to threaten bodily harm and argued that Bologna's actions were a "quick decision" in a "rapidly evolving" situation when he struck a 21-year-old Temple University student who had tried to intervene in another arrest.

Investigation and trial details

Additionally, a medical examination revealed that the protester was not directly struck on the head with the baton, and an internal affairs investigation found no departmental violations by Officer Bologna. However, Bologna was fired after the video of the encounter went viral on social media and reports emerged about his actions during the unrest. Before deliberations, the prosecution and defense had agreed that testimony by the city medical examiner would have clarified that the person was struck on the upper back, not the head, and his bloody laceration came from the officer's bike helmet. Prosecutors argued that the use of force was unwarranted, citing testimony from a former Utah officer turned researcher and teacher, who stated that the protester wasn't in a position to harm the officer when he was struck.

Legal proceedings

Bologna had initially faced multiple counts, including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, but a judge in 2021 dismissed the charges. However, another judge reinstated the two counts on which Bologna was eventually acquitted after the recent trial.