Cop videoed hitting woman claims innocence

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PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- A Philadelphia Highway Patrol supervisor's lawyer said he's confident his client will be exonerated on a brutality charge when the case goes to trial.

A brief hearing in Philadelphia Municipal Court offered the attorney for Lt. Jonathan Josey II, who was not present, to tell reporters his client is innocent, the Philadelphia Daily News said Tuesday.

"When we have the opportunity to present all the evidence in the courtroom, we'll be able to show that Lt. Josey acted reasonably under the circumstances. That being the case, we are confident he will be acquitted of all the charges," Perri said after leaving the courthouse.

The incident was captured on a cellphone recording in September as Josey was patrolling the city's annual Puerto Rican Day Parade. During the incident, officers are seen conducting a vehicle stop. Josey has his back to the crowd and someone throws liquid at the officers. He turns around and identifies Aida Guzman, 39, who has an empty bottle in her hand and is walking away.

Josey grabs Guzman and punches her in the mouth, bloodying her lip and knocking her to the ground before he places her under arrest.

Josey was fired after the incident, though his lawyer said he'll seek to get his job back if acquitted. A February trial is scheduled on the misdemeanor assault charge, Perri said.