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 Marlon Defillo said judges traditionally rely on an officer's expertise.
Davis said he had returned to New Orleans from Atlanta to inspect properties owned by family members. He said he was no longer sure he will return permanently to the city he has called home for 28 years.
"That's up in the air. The chaos that's here -- I don't know," he said Monday.
Davis and police officials have said they did not believe race was a factor. Davis is black; the three city police officers on the tape are white.
"I don't have time to be vindictive, but the good Lord is going to take care of everything
