HOUSTON – A special prosecutor has told jurors that a Houston police officer kicked and punched a teenage burglary suspect in broad daylight even when the teen was on the ground and no longer presented a danger.
Drew Ryser is charged with misdemeanor official oppression and faces up to a year in jail if convicted in the March 2010 arrest that was caught on video. Ryser has since been fired.
Special prosecutor Tommy LaFon said during opening statements Monday that Ryser made the arrest unsafe by hitting Chad Holley. But Ryser's attorney, Carson Joachim, told jurors Ryser took textbook action to subdue a potentially dangerous suspect.
Two other former police officers charged in the case were sentenced to probation as part of plea agreements. A fourth was acquitted.
