Inspector Joseph Bologna faces charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, possession of a crime tool and carelessly threatening another person, Philadelphia district attorney Larry Krasner announced on Friday.
Prosecutors say Bologna was captured on a cell phone video that hit a Temple University student in the back of his head while attending a mass demonstration Monday.
The unidentified student suffered “serious physical injury, including a large head injury that required treatment in a hospital during the arrest, including around 10 stitches and around 10 sutures,” said Krasner’s office.
Philadelphia police arrested the student protester and detained him for more than 24 hours and sent him back to the district attorney for a court case. But after prosecutors reviewed the video and other evidence, Krasner refused to accuse the student and instead accused Inspector Bologna.
“We are trying to be honest. The responsibility must be equal,” Krasner said. “This moment requires a quick and uniform response to violent and criminal acts based on facts and evidence.”
“Right now, I’m managing operations from the office,” he said at the station in a Friday phone call.
The police union said he was “disgusted” with the accusations. Bologna, a police officer for more than 30 years, has been “engaged in an unstable and chaotic situation with only milliseconds to make a decision,” said the union.
“These allegations clearly illustrate Krasner’s anti-police agenda in Philadelphia,” says the statement.
Philadelphian police commissioner Danielle Outlaw said on Friday that while she was not aware of all the information that led to Krasner’s decision to accuse Bologna, an internal affairs investigation had already been launched into the matter that would continue independently. by the prosecutor’s charge.
“As a department, we do not forgive anyone’s criminal acts, and it is my sincere hope that the district attorney will, in effect, hold all the people who cause harm to others equally responsible,” said Outlaw.
Coffee enthusiast. Travel scholar. Infuriatingly humble zombie fanatic. Thinker. Professional twitter evangelist.
