Texas Transit Cop Who Beat Sleeping Man Charged With Assault (Update)
Earlier this week, CopBlock Network Contributor Asa Jay reported on a surveillance video that showed a Metro Transit Authority cop beating a man who had been caught sleeping on a bench at a train station in Houston. Officer Jarius Warren resigned while an internal investigation was being conducted. Now shortly after that video became public, Warren has also been indicted on assault charges.
A Harris County grand jury has indicted a former Metro police officer on assault charges. Jarius Warren is accused of striking a man with a baton during an incident at the Burnett Street Transit Center on September 14. The incident was caught on a Metro security camera.
Warren resigned from the Metro police force after a disciplinary review board recommended that he be fired. If he’s convicted on the assault charge he could get up to a year in jail.
“The video is very disturbing,” said Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson in a press release. “When we have compelling evidence such as this, we immediately initiate an investigation. The case was presented to a diverse grand jury and we wholeheartedly support their decision. This officer used excessive force and should not be wearing a badge.”
The grand jury decided not to indict another officer who was also at the scene. Metro says Officer Daniel Reynoso will return to duty after receiving additional training.
As mentioned in the quoted section, the Good Cop who stood by and watched Officer Warren was not indicted. However, Officer Reynoso will be trained not to beat people who are sleeping, because that’s not something a rational person should just know on their own.
Obviously, it’s good that Warren was indicted for something, although at the very least it should be aggravated assault. I have little that when his full Policeman’s Discount kicks in he will get a fine and a slightly sore wrist.
