A Buck a Slap? Louisville Police Officer Fined Just $2 For Striking Handcuffed Suspect

It appears that the thin blue line defense still works. A video recently showed Louisville police officer David Graham striking handcuffed John R. Sanders, 19. However, the jury that convicted Graham proceeded to fine him just $2 — $1 for each of the two charges.

Sanders was arrested on March 31, 2012, with another man and accused of punching, kicking and using pepper spray on a third person while taking an e-reader and other items. According to the charges, a videotape showed Graham handcuffing Sanders behind the back and then poking him multiple times in the throat and slapping him.

Graham avoided up to 12 months in jail on a misconduct charge and up to 90 days in jail for a harassment charge. Yet, First Assistant Jefferson County Attorney Julie Hardesty called the guilty verdict “significant.”

It is not clear if Graham, who has been with the department since 1999, will face disciplinary action.

Source: Kentucky