Two Buffalo police officers are charged with assault after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester who remains critically injured, while fellow officers gathered in support outside the courthouse.
Two Buffalo police officers have been charged with assault after a video showed them shoving a 75-year-old protester at a demonstration over the death of George Floyd.If convicted, they face up to seven years in prisonOfficers Aaron Torgalski, 39, and Robert McCabe, 32, were part of a unit in tactical gearduring the protest involving long-time community activist Martin Gugino, 75, Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said in a statement.
The two officers "crossed a line" when they shoved the man down hard enough for him to crack his head on the ground, Mr Flynn said at a news conference, calling the victim "a harmless 75-year-old man". Mr Torgalski and Mr McCabe, who surrendered on Saturday morning, pleaded not guilty to second-degree assault during the virtual arraignment.If convicted of the charge, they face up to seven years in prison.Hundreds of law enforcement officers and firefighters, who had gathered outside the court in support of the defendants, erupted in cheers as the pair emerged from a holding area behind the court on Saturday.
The crowd, some wearing shirts reading "We back the Blue", opened a black umbrella and held a black sheet to obscure WGRZ television news cameras from getting footage of Mr Torgalski and Mr McCabe. On Friday, dozens of Buffalo police officers who were angered over their fellow officers’ suspensions
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