Video Shows Acquitted Cop's Assault on Teen

It wasn't allowed into evidence

A controversial video that shows a St. Louis police officer striking a teenage suspect has been released publicly, following the former officer's acquittal on a misdemeanor assault charge last week.   

Circuit Attorney Jennifer Joyce's office has said the video, recorded from a police cruiser, clearly shows Rory Bruce beating the teen without provocation. 

Bruce's defense attorney, Joe Hogan, planned to argue Bruce acted in self defense. But he never had to.

Because of legal obstacles, prosecutors were unable to bring the footage into evidence at Bruce's trial before Associate Circuit Court Judge Theresa Counts Burke on Thursday.