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Lawyers for Officers Indicted for Beating Youth Speak to Press

Aired July 18, 2002 - 14:32   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We're going to take you back to Los Angeles, where the lawyers for those two police officers who have been indicted and arraigned today on that videotape surrounding the beating of the 16-year-old young man in Inglewood.

Let's listen in.

(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

QUESTION: ... (UNINTELLIGIBLE) that police report that night, or later that day?

JOHN BARNETT, MORSE'S ATTORNEY: No.

QUESTION: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) when he wrote -- so that -- were they ever -- when did they become aware that there was videotape?

BARNETT: They became aware of the videotape some days after the police report was filed.

QUESTION: Because there have been suggestions that they -- either the police officers or other officers -- went to try find the videotape right after the incident took place.

BARNETT: That didn't happen. That just didn't happen.

(CROSSTALK)

BARNETT: Pardon me?

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BARNETT: I don't know that.

QUESTION: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) trial going back (UNINTELLIGIBLE) the case (UNINTELLIGIBLE) going to Inglewood.

BARNETT: Pardon me?

QUESTION: What are your thoughts about the case going to Inglewood and whether you think you can get a fair trial in Inglewood?

BARNETT: We're going to analyze that issue. QUESTION: Mr. Barnett, we understand it would help your job better. Are either of you willing to concede that there's a possibility of something inappropriate or criminal happening here?

(CROSSTALK)

BARNETT: There was no criminal conduct here. I am not willing to concede that there was any criminal conduct here, because there simply was not.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: ... potentially wrong with what was on that tape?

BARNETT: Is there something potentially wrong? Well, I deal with criminal statutes; I don't deal in those other areas. Wrong, potentially wrong -- there is no criticism activity, and that's all I'm concerned with.

QUESTION: Mr. Barnett, are you suggesting that you will try for change of venue?

BARNETT: I am not suggesting anything of the sort. I said we are analyzing all the legal issues that are appropriate.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BARNETT: I am not going to address which family members would be in this building right now.

QUESTION: Do you think that you can get a fair trial?

BARNETT: I think that they can get a fair trial.

QUESTION: Where?

BARNETT: I'm analyzing that issue right now.

(CROSSTALK)

QUESTION: Mr. Barnett, is it your client's contention that the teenager was conscious -- consciously going (UNINTELLIGIBLE) when he picked him up? Because it also could seen as being dazed or almost unconscious.

BARNETT: It's our position that he consciously had his legs go limp.

QUESTION: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) when you talk about -- I know you're trying not talk that much about this...

PHILLIPS: Attorneys for Inglewood Police officers Jeremy Morse and Bijan Darvish addressing reporters. It was not long ago the two officers were indicted and arraigned. Jeremy Morse one count of assault on Donovan Jackson, the 16-year-old seen in the of course the videotape you have been seeing for a number of weeks now, and Bijan Darvish for falsifying a police report.

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