Prosecutors in California , the US ,have dismissed charges against Vietnamese student, Ho Phuong, ofbrandishing a deadly weapon and resisting, delaying or obstructing apeace officer, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's officeannounced on Feb. 23.
Prosecutors say that it wasunlikely a jury would convict Phuong and that they are stillinvestigating whether to bring charges against the officers whoarrested Phuong.
Phuong, who has never committed crimes, came to the US three years agoto study mathematics and accounting at San Jose State University .
Phuong said that the quarrel between himself and his roommate, JeremySuftin, began after Suftin poured soap into his piece of meat on theevening of Sept. 3, 2009. The two fought each other and Phuongthreatened Suftin with his beefsteak knife. Suftin called the police ashe considered Phuong’s act as a serious threat and four police came tothe scene.
His other roommate captured the Sept. 3 arrest on a cell phone camerashowing that police officer, Kenneth Siegel, hit Phuong a dozen timeswith his baton while another officer named Steven Payne, Jr., used astun gun on Phuong.
Phuong told the Mercury Times newspaper that he did not resist but wasonly looking for his short-sighted glasses when police pushed him tothe wall. He said that the police did not treat him as a human being.
The four police officers have been suspended from their duties.
Phuong’s lawyer Nguyen Hoang Duyen said that he has filed a lawsuitagainst the officers for six charges, including assault, abuse of powerand causing mental and physical harm.
Duyen said he has proof that police did not act in accordance with regulations and used force in a brutal manner.
Attorney Terry Bowman who represents the four officers affirmed thatPhuong should be held responsible for resisting arrest.
The Vietnamese public and overseas Vietnamese in the US expressed theirdiscontentment regarding the San Jose police beating of Ho Phuong./.
Prosecutors say that it wasunlikely a jury would convict Phuong and that they are stillinvestigating whether to bring charges against the officers whoarrested Phuong.
Phuong, who has never committed crimes, came to the US three years agoto study mathematics and accounting at San Jose State University .
Phuong said that the quarrel between himself and his roommate, JeremySuftin, began after Suftin poured soap into his piece of meat on theevening of Sept. 3, 2009. The two fought each other and Phuongthreatened Suftin with his beefsteak knife. Suftin called the police ashe considered Phuong’s act as a serious threat and four police came tothe scene.
His other roommate captured the Sept. 3 arrest on a cell phone camerashowing that police officer, Kenneth Siegel, hit Phuong a dozen timeswith his baton while another officer named Steven Payne, Jr., used astun gun on Phuong.
Phuong told the Mercury Times newspaper that he did not resist but wasonly looking for his short-sighted glasses when police pushed him tothe wall. He said that the police did not treat him as a human being.
The four police officers have been suspended from their duties.
Phuong’s lawyer Nguyen Hoang Duyen said that he has filed a lawsuitagainst the officers for six charges, including assault, abuse of powerand causing mental and physical harm.
Duyen said he has proof that police did not act in accordance with regulations and used force in a brutal manner.
Attorney Terry Bowman who represents the four officers affirmed thatPhuong should be held responsible for resisting arrest.
The Vietnamese public and overseas Vietnamese in the US expressed theirdiscontentment regarding the San Jose police beating of Ho Phuong./.
