Man Charged For Allegedly Punching LAPD Officer During Mid-City Zimmerman Protest
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A 24-year-old man pleaded not guilty to multiple misdemeanors Tuesday for allegedly punching a Los Angeles police officer during a Mid-City protest of the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Florida teen Trayvon Martin.
Brandon Bell was charged with battery on a police officer, disobeying the orders of a police officer and resisting arrest, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. He remains jailed in lieu of $200,000 bail, and is due back in court July 30 for a pre-trial hearing.
Man Charged For Allegedly Punching LAPD Officer During Mid-City Zimmerman Protest
Bell was reportedly part of a group in protest Sunday near the intersection of 10th Avenue and Washington Boulevard when he punched an officer, who was part of a skirmish line, in the chest and ripped his name tag from his uniform.
The suspect then ran back in the crowd, but later returned when demonstrators began to throw rocks, batteries and water bottles at officers, said prosecutors.
Authorities recognized Bell from the earlier attack and arrested him.
If convicted, Bell faces up to two years in jail.
