Baltimore city police continued to vigorously defend the force used by a police officer who was caught on video tape striking and throwing a 53-year-old bar manager on a slab of concrete last month after handcuffing him during an arrest.
A video obtained by The Examiner shows an officer throwing a punch with an elbow at Glenn Curry and then throwing him onto the sidewalk Aug. 26 in the 1500 block of Pennsylvania Avenue.
Charging documents said Curry was arrested and charged with trespassing, possession of heroin and resisting arrest.
Police said the force used in the arrest was justified because of Curry?s alleged criminal record.
Police spokesman Matt Jablow also provided several aliases to prove their claims. “Our records indicate numerous arrests for assault, drug possession and handgun violations.” Jablow said.
But the city state?s attorney disputed Jablow?s allegations.
“There is no public record to support Mr. Curry?s alleged criminal record,”said Margaret Burns, a spokeswoman for the city state?s attorney.
“As a public agency, we can only accurately reflect the convictions and dispositions in the public record,” she said.
Curry?s lawyer, Granville Templeton, said his client?s record is not the issue.
“If the Baltimore City police wants to look at anyone?s record, they should look in the mirror,” he said. “The police department?s allegation exemplifies the department condoning the pattern and practice of illegal use of force, and violating our citizens? civil rights,” he said.
Council Member Ken Harris said that multiple investigations against the police department, including cases of identity theft and falsifying statement of probable cause, require intervention by an outside agency,
“Either the state or federal authorities need to handle the investigation of this incident to bring it credibility” he said. “With all these clouds hanging over the police department, identity theft, specialized units, we need help, something?s wrong.”
