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CNN Live Today
Two California Police Officers Expected to Turn Themselves In
Aired July 18, 2002 - 11:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: Indictment in Inglewood. Two California police officers are expected to turn themselves in to authorities in a few hours. They'll be facing charges in the videotaped arrest of 16-year-old Donovan Jackson.
CNN's Eric Horng joins us this morning from Los Angeles with the very latest.
Good morning, Eric.
ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Leon good morning. That arraignment scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, about three hours from now, at the criminal courts building in downtown Los Angeles, and this is what we're expecting will take place. Jeremy Morse expected to walk into the courtroom on his own. He has not been arrested, not expected to be taken into custody today. He may or may not enter a plea at this arraignment.
But ultimately, he is expected to plead not guilty to the charge of assault under the color of authority. After that arraignment, he is expected to be booked, fingerprinted, and then he's expected to post $25,000 bail.
It's been 12 days since that now infamous videotape was shot. On that video, Morse is seen violently arresting 16-year-old Donovan Jackson at an Inglewood gas station, seen slamming on to back of a patrol car and punching him in the face.
A grand jury inquiry here in Los Angeles lasted six days. Prosecutors left yesterday morning, finishing, presenting testimony to that grand jury. A few hours later, the grand jury returning that indictment against Morse.
Morse is a three-year veteran of the Inglewood Police Department. He has remained silent throughout much of this entire process, but friends and family members have come to his defense, two of those friends yesterday appearing on "CONNIE CHUNG TONIGHT."
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MATT FIOCCHI, FRIEND OF JEREMY MORSE: He's scared, you know. At first, he's just worried about losing job. Now he hates the fact that people are threatening his family and doing all these things that are for no reason. Jeremy is not racist at all. He's a great guy that everybody would love if you got to meet him. I don't understand where they got the racist card with Jeremy. He hasn't done anything to provoke that. Maybe they just need to get to know him like we know or him, or anybody that's met him.
CONNIE CHUNG, CNN ANCHOR: Don, would you address that racist question as well?
DON ROME, FRIEND OF JEREMY MORSE: Connie, that's probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
HORNG: Also to be indicted by the grand jury in Los Angeles and expected to be arraigned today, Bijan Darvish. He is the partner of Jeremy Morse. He will be charged with filing a false police report.
Leon, back to you.
HARRIS: All right, thank you very much, Eric. Eric Horng, reporting live for us this morning from L.A.
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