Philly NAACP wanted police indictment

The head of the Philadelphia branch of the NAACP is upset with the failure of a Philadelphia Grand Jury to indict eight police officers involved in the beating of three suspects. The grand jury report, which was unsealed last week, says police-force was helpful, not harmful, in arresting three suspects after a May 2008 police chase.

Listen:
[audio: 090810tmnaacp.mp3]

The head of the Philadelphia NAACP, Jerry Mondesire, was critical of the decision, saying the police could be in danger of reviving brutal tactics in arresting suspects.

Mondesire: I’m saying that DA Lynne Abraham led this grand jury down a path of legal mumbo-jumbo that we don’t have to accept. They could have issued a presentment condemning the police action they could have more comprehensive support for police reforms. I’m not saying they have to indict the police officers, I didn’t see every piece of evidence or watch every ounce of videotape clearly something is wrong here.

Mondesire says the civil rights group is planning to go to court to keep the officers from receiving back pay if they are reinstated to the force, or cleared of the department’s charges, which are still pending.

The grand jury report is available for public review at the District Attorney’s website.