19 Texas cops are indicted for using excessive force during 2020 protests

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://deadstate.org/19-texas-cops-are-indicted-for-using-excessive-force-during-2020-protests/

“19 Austin police officers accused of excessive force during 2020 protests are indicted” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Nearly two years after demonstrators and police clashed in Austin during nationwide protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd, a Travis County grand jury on Thursday indicted 19 officers accused of excessive force, according to the police union, and Austin officials agreed to a $10 million settlement with two men shot by police with beanbag rounds.

“We believe many protesters injured by law enforcement officers during the protest were innocent bystanders. We also believe that the overwhelming majority of victims in the incidents that were investigated suffered significant injuries,” Travis County District Attorney José Garza said during a Thursday press conference announcing the indictments. “Some will never fully recover.”

The names of the officers being indicted are not yet public record. Garza said that his office is prohibited by law to disclose details of an indictment until that person is arrested and booked into jail.

*snip*

[TexasTowelie]

1. One of the police officers that was indicted is a GOP candidate for the Texas House.

Texas House candidate Justin Berry is among Austin officers indicted on excessive force charges, union president says


Republican Texas House candidate Justin Berry was among 19 Austin police officers indicted Thursday and accused of using excessive force during 2020 protests, Austin Police Association president Kenneth Casaday told The Texas Tribune.

The indictments, which have not yet been made publicly available, stem from the 2020 protests in Austin after a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd, an unarmed Black man. In Austin, protesters were also spurred by the local police killing of Michael Ramos, an unarmed Black and Hispanic man, which took place a month before Floyd’s murder. The officer, Christopher Taylor, has been charged with murder.

Berry’s attorney declined to confirm or deny his indictment Thursday, and it is unknown what specifically prompted his indictment. The cases against the Austin officers could take months or years to resolve. The Austin American-Statesman first reported that Berry was among those indicted.

Berry is one of four Republicans seeking the GOP nomination in the March 1 primary election for Texas House District 19, a district west of Austin that includes Fredericksburg, Boerne and Burnet. It was not immediately clear how the indictment would affect his campaign.

More at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/02/17/austin-police-indictments-justin-berry/ .

[moniss]

2. I know

it's Austin and it's more liberal than maybe most areas in the state but it's still stunning that the indictments are in Texas.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

3. I am glad that these officers are being charged

[Demovictory9]

4. justice