NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- The lawyer for the three New Orleans police officers charged with beating a man said Wednesday the cops were following procedure.
Attorney Frank DeSalvo said the man, Robert Davis, was acting drunk Oct. 8 and forcefully resisted arrest, CNN reports.
A television crew captured the incident on tape which shows the officers using force to handcuff Davis, including punching and pepper spray.
Davis said he was asking one officer a question when another interrupted. Davis him unprofessional and walked away when he alleges he started getting punched.
The three officers have pleaded not guilty to battery charges and were released on bond. They have been suspended without pay.
Davis pleaded not guilty to charges of public intoxication, battery on a police officer, resisting arrest and public intimidation.
Both cases have January trial dates. Federal investigators are looking into whether any federal laws were violated as well as whether FBI agents who were on the scene as the incident ended violated any laws.
