Video of Student Beating Leads to Cop Suspension

(CBS/AP)  One Prince George's County police officer has been suspended and investigators are working to identify two others after a video surfaced apparently showing officers beating a University of Maryland student during a rowdy celebration of a basketball victory.

Attorney Christopher Griffiths released video of the March 3 incident on Monday after charges against his client, 21-year-old John McKenna, were dropped. McKenna was one of 28 arrested that night. A police officer involved in the incident had claimed McKenna assaulted them.

The video shows three officers in riot gear beating a man on a sidewalk near the College Park campus, following Maryland's win over Duke University.

County prosecutors are investigating the incident and police have launched an internal affairs investigation.

Police Chief Roberto Hylton says he saw the video and was outraged. He says one officer's police powers have been suspended and two other officers will be suspended when they are identified.

"Early Show" News Reader Betty Nguyen reported McKenna suffered a concussion and is now suing the police department.

University of Maryland senior Marcos Hernandez tells CBS News he was there when the crowd became unruly and saw seen several instances of police brutality.

To see footage of the beating, click on the video below:


Watch CBS News Videos Online

[rock0223]

Cops are nothing but a problem. Snitches are an even lower form of life. Stay clear away from minors. And watch women like a hawk, guys. Your vigilance is your only protection.

[rock0223]

OMG here we go again, the same stupid(!) yakety-yak. And the 'beat' goes on.

To steer clear of cops and their sundry abuses is up to you! Absolutely nothing else will save you from those ugly sluggos.

[rickhafley]

This young man was guilty of nothing more than celebrating his teams victory, had this video not surfaced we would all today believed he attacked the police officers as they described it in their report. If you watch the video John is not aggressive at all in fact he backs up when the officers on horseback approach him and stop his progress down the street for reasons unknown.(happy people not allowed beyond this point)He is backed to the wall watching the officer on the horse when two men in police riot gear assault him from his left side, beating him to the ground with batons. One continues the assault joined by a third will the second runs to the corner to stand watch. Many other in riot gear and on horseback encircle the beaten John McKenna and discourage any would be good samaritans. America 2010 or Germany 1939? This type of behavior is happening far to often by those sworn to protect us, God Help us because our fellow man seems not to care.

[smoknmirrors]

This beat down with clubs could have been avoided if the students were allowed to exercise their Second Amendment rights.

[linfinster]

Well it's another sad, sad example for the hoodlum's of today to use against society so they can continue to suck the fun and money out of us law abiding citizen's.

[dkmpop04]

These officers should be terminated. Whoever wrote the report should be terminated. This young man should sue these officers, the city and its police department. This should not have happened. These were not mistakes. These men used poor judgment and this should never be tolerated. Decisions to behave this way simply don't happen. These men have a seething propensity for violence with an expectation of impunity. Prison terms for each is a better option.

[dkmpop04]

These officers should be terminated. Whoever wrote the report should be terminated. This young man should sue these officers, the city and its police department. This should not have happened. These were not mistakes. These men used poor judgment and this should never be tolerated. Decisions to behave this way simply don't happen. These men have a seething propensity for violence with an expectation of impunity. Prison terms for each is a better option.

[Uncle_Eccoli]

These pigs' outrageous and criminal behaviour damages the legitimacy of police EVERYWHERE. An ordinary citizen can be convicted on nothing more than a cop's word, but irrefutable, concrete evidence is demanded to even hold a hearing against a cop. DISGUSTING and PATHETIC! And we're supposed to trust in such an institution?! Don't count on it.

[RoboBlogger]

Oh and you forgot the magic evidence that magically appears out of nowhere even if its not you're MO.

[junebug1965]

'Once They're IDeed'
Is IDeed a new Apple product?

[goffredo29]

Eliminate the Selective Service. Boys growing up encounter it and get the message that violence against them is okay and they are ultimately expendable in our society.