MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — A Long Island police officer pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges that he beat a man during a traffic stop that was captured on video, and hundreds of supporters chanted and cheered him on as he left court.
Nassau County Officer Vincent LoGiudice pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in Nassau County Court to two counts of second-degree assault and one count of third-degree assault.
LoGiudice, who was released without bail, is accused of kicking and punching the man during an April traffic stop.
Prosecutors dismissed criminal charges against the man, Kyle Howell of Westbury, last month.
The police union previously said Howell refused to comply with police orders. Court documents allege he tried to swallow a bag of marijuana.
Hundreds of Long Island police officers and supporters — many in T-shirts emblazoned with “Support Nassau Cops,” ”United We Stand” or the logo of their Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association chapter — waited for LoGiudice in the marble-walled mezzanine outside the standing-room-only courtroom.
They clapped and cheered for more than a minute as LoGiudice emerged from his arraignment.
After LoGiudice left, Nassau PBA president James Carver stood on a chair near the courtroom door and led the crowd in a chant: “Vindicate Vinny!” He said they wouldn’t stop until LoGiudice is exonerated.
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Associated Press Writer Michael Sisak contributed to this report.
