ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Two Orlando police officers and the city of Orlando are fighting a civil rights lawsuit in Orlando federal court a civil rights lawsuit.
The case is highlighted by cell phone video that shows officer William Escobar punching and kicking a handcuffed Refus Holloway.
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Channel 9's Jeff Deal was in the courtroom Thursday for the testimony and said Holloway cried in court while he testified. Holloway said he's so afraid of police now that if he had a problem, he wouldn't call for help.
Escobar and his partner were called to a home on Benson Avenue, in March of 2014, because of a fight.
Escobar testified in court Wednesday that Holloway repeatedly ignored initial verbal commands.
Holloway, a former former air force police officer, testified that officer Joel Williams kicked him, and unloaded a can of mace or pepper spray on him before Escobar cuffed him and struck him.
Holloway described to the jury of four men and four women that he couldn't breathe, was scared that night and to this day is not comfortable around police.
Defense attorneys for the officers and the city got Holloway to admit he hasn't spent any money on medical bills, or been treated for any emotional distress or depression related to this.
The defense attorneys spent the afternoon trying to convince jurors the officers didn't make a false arrest or use excessive force.
Escobar was charged with battery and perjury, but was acquitted. He is now fighting to get his job back.
Williams was never charged with a crime.
Cox Media Group
