Jurors Acquit Baltimore Officer In Punching Of Detainee

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The attorney for a Baltimore police officer who punched a handcuffed detainee in 2014 says his client has been acquitted of assault.

The Baltimore Sun reports that 27-year-old Officer Terrell Carter acknowledged that he punched the detainee who spat in his face while officers were trying to move him out of the holding cell.

Carter testified that the man was unruly and he was defending himself.

Carter was charged with second-degree assault and two counts of misconduct in office in October 2014.

Prosecutors said the detainee suffered a laceration to his forehead, and bled in the holding cell.

Defense attorney Chaz Ball says he is happy with the jury's finding.

(Copyright 2016 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)