Indictment returned in Memphis beating by police
Associated Press - November 20, 2008 3:15 AM ET
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A former Memphis police officer has been indicted on charges of beating a person who was being arrested on a prostitution charge.
An indictment, unsealed Wednesday, accuses 28-year-old Bridges McRae of using unreasonable force by repeatedly striking Duanna Johnson - a biological male who lived as a woman - with his fist and handcuffs last February in the intake area of the Shelby County Jail.
The incident was recorded by a jailhouse video camera and led to the firing of McRae and another officer.
The 43-year-old Johnson was not seriously hurt but was left bleeding and handcuffed on the floor. Johnson has since been shot to death on a Memphis street.
The indictment accuses McRae of deprivation of rights. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine.
McRae surrendered Wednesday, pleaded not guilty and was released on a recognizance bond.
"We're embarking on the process," said Ted Hansom, his attorney.
McRae has said previously that Johnson threw the first punch.
http://www.waaytv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9381383
Figured this one would lead to an indictment.