Man, Perhaps Blind, Ordered To Trial For Assaulting Philadelphia Cops
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - A 22-year-old man has been ordered to stand trial on charges he assaulted police and resisted arrest during a violent struggle last month in West Philadelphia -- although the defense contends the defendant is blind.
Philadelphia police officer Anthony Lazzaro says he and his partner approached three men, including the defendant, for "suspicious" activity near 46th and Walnut Streets.
Lazzaro says when he pulled defendant Darrell Holloway toward his police car, Holloway pushed him. And then, Lazzaro says, there was a fierce struggle with Holloway hitting the officer repeatedly and the officer hitting Holloway back.
At one point, Lazzaro says, after they were separated by other officers, Holloway broke free, charged eight to 10 feet, and started choking him.
Defense attorney Kevin Mincey says that's ridiculous.
"He is legally blind in both eyes. He can't see shadows, no difference in light. He can't see anything. I have papers in my file," Mincey tells KYW Newsradio.
Mincey says video and particularly audio, not played in court, captures the chaos and people screaming that Holloway is blind.
The judge at today's hearing said she wonders what really happened, but ordered the case sent to trial. There were numerous witnesses, but only the officer testified at this hearing.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060
