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PG County Cops Indicted For UMD Beating

By: Matt Bush and Jonathan Wilson // September 20, 2011
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A grand jury indicted two PG County police officers Tuesday on assault charges in connection with a 2010 beating of an unarmed UMD student reveling after a basketball win.
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A grand jury indicted two PG County police officers Tuesday on assault charges in connection with a 2010 beating of an unarmed UMD student reveling after a basketball win.

Two Prince George's County police officers were indicted by a grand jury on assault charges Tuesday, in connection with the alleged beating in March 2010 of an unarmed University of Maryland student on the streets after a win by the school's basketball team.

State's Attorney Angela Alsobrooks announced the indictments against Officers Reginald Baker and James Harrison  Tuesday afternoon. The officers are charged with first and second-degree assault and misconduct in office.

County police arrested 28 students during a rowdy celebration after the school's basketball win over Duke last year. Charges were later dropped against many of those arrested that night, including McKenna. Three officers were suspended and federal authorities were involved in the investigation.

A video later surfaced showing officers in riot gear beating student John McKenna. McKenna's lawyer says he suffered injuries from the incident, including a concussion.

In a statement, police chief Mark Magaw said he "respected" the indictments, saying the department is committed to "constitutional, ethical, and professional" policing.

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