A former Philadelphia police officer, who had been charged with assault following an attack on a Temple University student that happened three years ago, was found not guilty.
On Wednesday, a jury found former Philadelphia police officer Joseph Bologna Jr., 57, not guilty on charges of assault and possessing an instrument of a crime, after he was caught on camera attacking a Temple University student with a baton during a protest in the wake of George Floyd's death in June of 2020.
Video of the incident was made available on social media shortly after in happened.
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The attack left Temple student Evan Gorski, suffering from, what Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has described as, "a large head wound that required treatment in a hospital while under arrest, including approximately 10 staples and approximately 10 sutures."
The video was shown in court on Wednesday of the interaction and there was a differing of opinion over whether Bologna's use of force was justified.
The jury determined Bologna was within his rights—hearing the defense case that Gorski interfered in arrest attempts that day.
“We were really looking forward to having a good, fair-minded jury take a look at this whole case and see it for what it is. It was Joe Bologna doing his job that day as a pixie inspector," Fortunato Perri, Bologna's defense attorney said.
Both sides agreed it was the protestor's shoulder that was hit, and his head injuries were from the officer's helmet when they fell.
It was still unclear if Bologna pushed Gorski or he fell on his own.
“I know that the culture of the system, cultural in society tends to give every benefit of the doubt to law enforcement who are charged with crimes. So, we accept this outcome. I am proud of the fact that our special investigations unit worked so hard to try to get justice in ways that my predecessors never even tried and obviously we accept the verdict," DA Krasner said on Wednesday.
This was not the first time Bologna has been cleared of charges in an attack.
In 2021, charges against Bologna were dropped.
However, Krasner refiled the charges that Bologna was found not guilty of on Wednesday, shortly after that.
Perri says Bologna is exploring the possibility of getting his job back with the Philadelphia Police Department. Bologna also said he'd like an apology.
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