Post by WaTcHeR on Feb 7, 2007 13:34:01 GMT -5
An Adams County jury on Monday acquitted an activist accused of assaulting an officer at a contentious University of Colorado regents meeting.
Shareef Aleem, 38, was charged with second-degree assault, accused of tussling with officer Greg Barthlome on Feb. 3, 2005. The regents were meeting about controversial CU professor Ward Churchill.
Aleem, a Churchill supporter, yelled at the event and expressed concern that students were not being allowed to speak.
The prosecution argued that Aleem attempted to grab the officer's badge. The defense said the officer fell while harassing Aleem.
"Mr. Aleem was practicing his First Amendment rights of free speech, and he did not intend to hurt anyone," his attorney, Mark Burton, said.
The case originally went to trial last year but ended in a hung jury.
Aleem is the founder of Aurora CopWatch.
"I knew I didn't assault him," Aleem said. "I'm glad justice was served. I want to continue to help people who are victims of police brutality."
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5333503,00.html
Shareef Aleem, 38, was charged with second-degree assault, accused of tussling with officer Greg Barthlome on Feb. 3, 2005. The regents were meeting about controversial CU professor Ward Churchill.
Aleem, a Churchill supporter, yelled at the event and expressed concern that students were not being allowed to speak.
The prosecution argued that Aleem attempted to grab the officer's badge. The defense said the officer fell while harassing Aleem.
"Mr. Aleem was practicing his First Amendment rights of free speech, and he did not intend to hurt anyone," his attorney, Mark Burton, said.
The case originally went to trial last year but ended in a hung jury.
Aleem is the founder of Aurora CopWatch.
"I knew I didn't assault him," Aleem said. "I'm glad justice was served. I want to continue to help people who are victims of police brutality."
www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_5333503,00.html