3 Involved In Recorded Police Beating To Stand Trial

Three men involved in a police beating caught on tape will stand trial on attempted murder charges. Their families said it’s a case of mistaken identity.

The defendants were identified by what they were wearing, their physiques and car yet a Philadelphia judge is ordering three men to stand trial for attempted murder, conspiracy and weapon offenses.Their violent arrest was captured on camera but it was the moments that led up to the beating that brought three North Philadelphia men to court.

Prosecutors argued on May 5, 24-year-old Dawayne Dyches, 23-year-old Brian Hall and 19-year-old Pete Hopkins shot three others in Hunting Park.An officer working undercover was the key witness for the prosecution.”There were three in the car, they were arrested, a gun was recovered that matches 15 casings found on the street,” Assistant District Attorney Carol Sweeney said.Sweeney also said a witness identified the trio by their car and clothing.”Hall was the driver, Hopkins the gunman and Dyches was a co-conspirator,” Sweeney said.”Those officers got on the stand and lied,” a relative of Dyches said.Relatives of Dyches led a protest outside the criminal justice center. They wore shirts showcasing what they’re calling “the police brutality” the suspects endured.”These boys should be out. Police officers locked up. The case should have been thrown out today,” the relative said.That was also the hope of Hall and Dyches’ defense attorneys.”Mr. Dyches had no involvement, whatsoever,” Robert Gamberg, defense attorney, said.”The only testimony against my client Brian Hall was that he drove his vehicle to the scene, when shots were fired he drove away,” Evan Hughes, defense attorney, said.Hall declined comment as he walked away, the only suspect free on bond since their arrest.Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey disciplined the officers involved. Yet, some people said that isn’t enough.The suspects will return to court next month

~ by Shadow Master on July 21, 2008.