Grand jury clears Philly officers in taped beating

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Philadelphia grand jury won’t recommend charges against police officers involved in the videotaped beating of three suspects after a May 2008 car chase.

District Attorney Lynne Abraham made the announcement today.

The decision comes a month after the three suspects were acquitted in a shooting earlier that night.

Video taken from a television news helicopter on May 5, 2008, shows a line of police cars pursuing the suspects’ car for more than two miles before the driver pulls over.

A swarm of officers descend, smashing a window and pulling the men out and onto the ground. Several officers beat and kick them, at least one wielding a baton.

The city’s police commissioner later fired four officers, disciplined four others and ordered that the entire department be retrained on the use of force.