VIDEO: Mo. Officer Cleared of Assault
A Missouri police officer is returning to duty three years after she was accused of assaulting a senior citizen and put on unpaid leave.
Oakview (Mo.) Police Officer Kimberly Whyley said she was "overcome with emotion that a traumatic event was finally coming to end for my family and I." A jury deliberated for 30 minutes on Tuesday before acquitting her of assault, reports KCTV.
The acquittal stems from a traffic stop in March of 2009, when Whyley pulled over 88-year-old Phil Forte for not having his headlights on. Several moments later, Forte's car slams into Whyley's police cruiser.
The officer ordered him out of the car and a struggle ensued. A passerby helped her subdue Forte, who was then taken into custody. Prosecutors later charged Whyley with assault for dragging Forte.