Illinois Officer Cleared In Force Incident

Officer Andrew Smith was acquitted of official misconduct, aggravated battery, mob action and battery. The officer had been on unpaid leave since March 2009.

A Peoria County (Ill.) jury has acquited an officer of overstepping his bounds during the arrest of a motorist who fled from officers two years ago, reports the Peoria Journal Star.

Officer Andrew Smith was acquitted of official misconduct, aggravated battery, mob action and battery. The officer had been on unpaid leave since March 2009.

The March 3, 2008 incident began when convicted drug dealer Bryce Scott fled from officers. Smith pulled over his SUV. During the arrest, pursuing officers can be seen in dash-cam video subduing him with a TASER and kicks. The prosecution made the argument that Scott was compliant, and the officers overstepped their bounds.

Two other officers face charges stemming from the March 3, 2008 traffic stop.

Watch the patrol car video of the incident.

Read the full story at PJStar.com.

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