Baltimore prosecutors probe use-of-force incident

BY JULIET LINDERMAN
Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — Prosecutors say a video that became public this week showing a Baltimore police officer punching a man outside of a liquor store has prompted a criminal investigation.

Deputy State’s Attorney Elizabeth Embry said Tuesday prosecutors have opened an investigation into the beating of Kollin Truss, who filed a lawsuit on Monday against Officer Vincent Cosom.

Truss was arrested in June after Cosom alleged the man threatened him and resisted arrest. But video footage shows the officer repeatedly punching Truss, who at one point was restrained by another officer. Charges against Truss were dropped on July 16. Embry said the office dropped the charges after viewing the video.

Commissioner Anthony Batts said he was “disgusted” by the incident, and that an internal investigation is ongoing. Cosom has been suspended with pay.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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