No Charges For Denver Deputy For Punching Inmate

DENVER (AP) — Prosecutors won't file charges against a Denver sheriff's deputy who was captured on video punching a jail inmate.

In a letter released Friday, District Attorney Mitch Morrissey said the inmate had been making threatening taunts and using racial slurs, mostly directed at Deputy Thomas Ford, who is black. He said the inmate stood up when Ford walked toward him to move him to a cell and thought he was going to fight.

Ford hit the inmate once in the face, which Morrissey said caused only minor injury. He said a jury likely would likely find the use of force appropriate.

The case comes as the department tries to make sweeping reforms after a series of high profile misconduct cases, including a jail beating lawsuit settled last month for $3.3 million.