Brutal LA police beating shown in court — VIDEO
A video was shown in court Wednesday in which a Los Angeles police officer can be seen beating a handcuffed woman until she lost consciousness in the back of a patrol car in 2012.
The video showed the police officer hitting the woman in the throat and kicking her in the groin, KTLA reported.
As Alesia Thomas was “flailing” inside the car, Officer Mary O’Callaghan told her to “knock it off” and threatened to “punt” her, using profanity in reference to her genitals. The video was captured by another patrol car’s dashboard camera.
O’Callaghan is seen hitting Thomas in the throat in the moments before she loses consciousness. She’s heard saying “I can’t.” Thomas was later pronounced dead at the hospital, LA Times reported.
O’Callaghan is on trial relating to a charge of assault under color of authority, not in connection with Thomas’ death.
An autopsy revealed cocaine in Thomas’ system, likely “a major factor” in her death, but the cause was listed as “undetermined,” as it was unclear if her struggle with the police had anything to do with her death.
Contact Kristen DeSilva at 702-477-3895 or kdesilva@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @kristendesilva






