Officer Charged for Beating Drunk Man in Wheelchair

It's the sort of move that tough to explain away

The Duluth police officer who was videotaped punching a presumably intoxicated man in a wheelchair at the Duluth Detoxification Center was charged Thursday with fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Richard Jouppi, 35, has been summoned to appear in State District Court in Duluth in connection with the Sept. 21 incident. The date for his appearance has not yet been scheduled. The crimes are misdemeanors each punishable by a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.