Gay Teen Brutalised by Police Rides Float again for Mardi Gras 2014 (VIDEO)
Gay teen, Jamie Jackson Reed, 18, was brutalised by police during the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras of 2013. But in a twist of events, he was the one accused of assaulting the two officers.
The two officers had withdrawn their charges two weeks ago, but the fierce teen shall not let this pass.
On Friday, a Sydney court ruled that the two police officers had thereby used unnecessary force against Reed by slamming his head into the pavement.
Guilty party Constable Leon Mixios did not show up in court but said that he only arrested Reed because he saw him kick a woman during the parade. Officers for Mixios told in a statement that Mr Mixios is attending to office duties at Fairfield Local Area Command while awaiting rulings from the court.
Magistrate Michael Barko told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court said that the constable may not want more bad judgement cast on him.
"What should I infer?" Mr Barko said. "That the Commissioner wants no further bad publicity?"
Mr Barko dismissed the case and awarded Mr Reed $39,000 in costs.
Mr Mixios had also a record of using excessive force in a separate incident during an arrest.
According to Atty Chris Murphy, lawyer for Reed, he was awarded legal costs and already planning of filing a counter charge for damages.
"Under new mandatory sentencing laws, the magistrate pointed out he could have faced up to five years' jail. Courts tend to believe police officers and that might well have happened to him. At 18 years of age in the jail system, his life would have been miserable and different forever. He's been under a lot of stress. He's been totally exonerated today. He is quiet, but will next be seen on a float at the Mardi Gras," Murphy, told AAP.
The case of Reed acquired attention worldwide when a mobile phone video footage of Reed being brutalised became viral in March of 2013. The video showed how the officer threw shirtless Reed on the ground and stepped on his back. Those who had seen the video shouted for police brutality.
Watch the Video Here:
(credit: Sydney Gay and Mardi Gras 2013 YouTube Page)