Inglewood Police Abuse Case Goes to Jurors

More than 18 months after an amateur cameraman videotaped Jeremy Morse roughing up a teenager in Inglewood, jurors must decide whether he acted as a responsible police officer or a lawless gang member, lawyers argued Tuesday.

Prosecutors said the case began and ended with the videotape, which was broadcast worldwide and they contended proved that Inglewood Police Officer Morse broke the law.

Defense attorney John Barnett said it was a case of hindsight by people who were not at the scene and didn’t know the danger that 16-year-old Donovan Jackson presented.

“If you can find him guilty, no peace officer is safe from groundless prosecution,” Barnett told jurors.

The lawyer also represented Morse at his first trial, in which the jury deadlocked on whether Morse used unnecessary force against Jackson in July 2002.

The second trial has moved more quickly and attracted less attention than the first, but community members and police officers still filled the courthouse Tuesday to watch the closing arguments.

Members of Morse’s and Jackson’s families also attended.

The verdict could bring a conclusion to a case that sparked controversy -- in Inglewood and throughout the nation.

“We still got to fight for justice,” said local activist Mollie Bell. “I honestly believe we can get a 12-0 that Morse is as guilty as can be.”

But Morse’s mother, Robin Pettit, said she believes that the case will end in her son’s favor. “Everything is going to turn out fine,” she said. “This was a huge mistake that should have never happened.”

The confrontation occurred at a gas station after two sheriff’s deputies stopped to ask Jackson’s father about expired registration tags on his car. Inglewood police officers arrived, and a fight erupted between Jackson and the officers.

Jackson gave often-confusing testimony and didn’t remember much of the incident. School officials and family members say he has a sensory disorder that affects his memory and responses.

Officers and use-of-force experts also testified during the trial before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge William Hollingsworth.

During closing arguments Tuesday, the prosecution and the defense disagreed sharply on the facts of the case and on whether Morse’s actions were necessary and reasonable.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael Pettersen told jurors that Morse was an out-of-control officer who acted illegally when he picked Jackson off the ground and slammed him against the car. Defense attorney Barnett countered that Morse did exactly what he was trained to do when confronted with a resisting suspect.

In his argument, Barnett said the case boiled down to a split-second decision by an officer on the street and should not be second-guessed by experts and prosecutors in the courtroom.

Jackson attacked officers before being taken to the ground and continued to resist by refusing to stand up and walk to the patrol car, Barnett said, adding that even after being handcuffed, Jackson grabbed Morse’s groin.

Barnett said the teenager was not seriously injured in the confrontation. He urged jurors to acquit, saying the force was “not only necessary, but it was required.”

Prosecutors called Barnett’s argument a fairy tale and accused him of being fast and loose with the facts. Morse got angry and wanted to hurt Jackson as retaliation for fighting against him, they argued.

Prosecutors acknowledged that Jackson did struggle at first, but said he passed out and stopped moving. That’s when the force became unreasonable and excessive, they said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Max Huntsman described Jackson as a scared youth who didn’t fully understand what was happening around him and was left with injuries to the face, neck and hand.

After playing a portion of the tape again for jurors, Huntsman said, “This conduct is not OK.”

“Follow the law,” he told jurors, “because otherwise police officers are nothing more than gang members.”

Jurors are expected to begin deliberations today. Morse could get three years in prison.