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Cop in Infamous Bike Bodyslam Video Goes on Trial Monday
By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 15, 2010
Modified Apr 15, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Apr 15, 2010
Modified Apr 15, 2010
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The former NYPD officer caught on tape slamming a cyclist to the curb in a seemingly unprovoked assault during a 2008 Critical Mass ride will go on trial Monday. Patrick Pogan was a rookie cop with less than a month on the job when he was videotaped (watch below) violently knocking cyclist Christopher Long off his bike. The top charge against him is filing a false criminal complaint, which is a felony carrying anywhere from probation to four years. (He's also charged with misdemeanor assault.) But his attorney will argue that the video doesn't tell the whole story.
"Sometimes, good police work can look ugly," attorney Stuart London tells the Post. London will also argue that Pogan was just following orders when he falsified statements on the police report, asserting that Long "drove" his bicycle "directly into [Pogan's] body, causing [Pogan] to fall to the ground." None of that is seen in the video, and Pogan's lawyer insists his client didn't even touch the paperwork. Instead, it was "hastily" drafted by a superior officer, Sgt. Eric Perez. (Here's a copy of the report.)
After arresting Long that night, Pogan charged him with attempting assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, contending that Long rode his bike straight into him, knocking them both down. (Pogan also claimed Long told him: “You are pawns in the game. I’m going to have your job.") Those charges against Long were later dropped, and he's suing the city for $1.5 million. Below, for old time's sake, the classic video:
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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