MSN-Mainichi Daily News: International News: "Man taped in New Orleans police beating to appear in court
NEW ORLEANS -- A 64-year-old retired teacher whose beating by New Orleans city police was caught on videotape and aired around the world is due to appear in court Wednesday on charges of public intoxication, resisting arrest, battery on a police officer and public intimidation.
But Robert Davis insists he has not had a drink for 25 years and his lawyer says the charges are groundless and should be dropped.
'They've got nothing,' attorney Joseph Bruno said earlier this week.
Davis says he had not been drinking before he was beaten by two police officers in a weekend confrontation taped by an Associated Press Television News crew.
Those officers and a third accused of grabbing and shoving an APTN producer have pleaded not guilty to battery charges.
The beating has put another unwanted spotlight on the city's beleaguered police force following Hurricane Katrina. The Justice Department has opened a civil rights investigation stemming from the incident.
Davis said earlier this week that he had wandered into the French Quarter in search of cigarettes before the confrontation. 'I didn't do anything,' said Davis, who said he had approached a mounted police officer to ask about the city's curfew.
Another officer on foot 'interfered and I said he shouldn't,' Davis said. As he crossed the street, Davis said, he was hit and eventually thrown to the pavement.
Police, however, disagree and their lawyer, Frank DeSalvo, said they arrested a stumbling Davis to protect him from himself.
Davis and his lawyer said no blood or breath tests for drunkenness were administered following Davis' arrest. New Orleans police said they typically do not test people arrested for public intoxication. Spokesman Ma"
