LAPD officer charged with assault in woman's arrest [View all]

[jsr]

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-lapd-officer-charged-kicking-woman-assault-fatal-20131010,0,611060.story

LAPD officer charged with assault in woman's arrest
By Richard Winton
October 10, 2013, 12:52 p.m.

An LAPD officer has been charged with assaulting a woman under color of authority by kicking her in the groin during an arrest last year, the Los Angeles County district attorney's office announced Thursday.

LAPD Officer Mary O’Callaghan, 48, was charged Wednesday in connection with the July 22, 2012, incident that ended with the death of Alesia Thomas.

O'Callaghan was one of several officers sent to Thomas' home in the 9100 block of South Broadway Avenue to investigate allegations that Thomas had abandoned her children after they were left at a local police station.

O’Callaghan arrived at the scene to assist the arresting officers in placing Thomas in a patrol car. While Thomas was in handcuffs and leg restraints, prosecutors said, a police cruiser’s video camera captured the veteran officer kicking Thomas in the stomach and groin area and pushing her in the throat.