Baltimore Cop Charged In Bus Stop Beating Caught On Camera
Rick Ritter
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Famous Women Who Underwent Double MastectomiesBALTIMORE (WJZ) — Officer charged. A Baltimore police officer caught beating a man on camera is now facing charges. He’s also accused of lying on a police report. The beating has been the subject of an intense debate about police brutality in Baltimore.
Rick Ritter has reaction from the victim to this new development in the case.
Officer Vincent Cosom Jr. was charged Wednesday with second-degree assault. The victim’s attorney says they’re certainly happy about the charges, but claim other officers joined in on the beating as well.
It’s a few seconds of video that raised eyebrows across the city and could Baltimore City Police Department big.
“Our client was knocked unconscious on his feet. But before he could fall on the ground, he was struck again,” said Tony Garcia, the victim’s attorney.
On June 15, video shows 32-year-old Kollin Truss and Officer Vincent Cosom Jr. in a physical altercation after Truss’ attorney says the two exchanged words outside of a store on Greenmount and North avenues.
It’s alleged that Officer Cosom then arrested the victim and completed a statement of probable cause, sworn to under penalties of perjury, that the victim assaulted.
Truss since filed a $35 million lawsuit against the city, and Officer Vincent Cosom Jr. is now charged with second-degree assault, perjury and misconduct in office.
“We are happy there are some charges, but we’re still very concerned,” Ivan Bates said.
An “incomplete” feeling Truss’ attorneys Ivan Bates and Tony Garcia say their client still has.
“While we’re happy Officer Cosom is charged, we’re concerned, one, that he wasn’t charged with first-degree assault,” Bates said. “And two, why were the other officers who participated in the beating of our client not charged?”
Weeks ago, Baltimore’s top cop called the video disturbing and unacceptable.
“We know that there is a few of us who are not in alignment with philosophy I set forth for this agency,” Baltimore City Police Commissioner Anthony Batts said.
Meanwhile, council members are trying to pass legislation for more than 3,000 cops to wear body cameras.
“It would keep everyone in check because police would have to keep everything recorded,” said Council President Bernard Jack Young.
Something Batts says he wants sooner than later.
Officer Cosom has since been suspended. Earlier this month, Commissioner Batts announced his request for a full review by the Department of Justice into the city’s police department.
WJZ tried reaching out to Baltimore City Police for comment, but they’re referring all questions to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
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