Virginia police officer pleads guilty to civil rights charges in beating of Black Man

Former cop faces 10 years in prison in beating case
Lamont Koonce in Coma for 2 Months

A former Petersburg police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal civil rights charge in the severe beating of a black man pulled over during a traffic stop. The man spent more than two months in a coma. Michael Tweedy pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law. He faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 when sentenced April 28. "Those who have been sworn to protect the law have a special duty to obey the law," U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty said at a news conference. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors agreed to drop a charge that Tweedy falsified a police report to cover up his and other officers' roles in the beating. That charge carried a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. The Oct. 13, 2003, beating, which involved at least four Petersburg police officers, left Lamont Koonce hospitalized with a fractured skull, collapsed lung and other injuries. According to court papers, Koonce was driving home from work at a meat packing company without his lights on when he was pulled over. After being pulled over, Koonce got out of his car and tried to run away. Koonce eventually gave up and put his hands in the air. Tweedy then sprayed Koonce with a "substantial" amount of pepper spray, causing Koonce to fall, court papers said. Moments later, Tweedy ran over to a handcuffed Koonce and "forcefully" stomped on his head several times, court papers said. He then returned several times to Koonce and delivered multiple blows to his head. Former officer Michael Perkins, who is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 15, is also charged with kicking and stomping Koonce. "It's hard to prosecute one of your own, but right is right and wrong is wrong," said Petersburg Commonwealth's Attorney Cassandra Burns. [more] and [more]