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Officer who used excessive force allowed to plead guilty to misdemeanor after felony conviction

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Original Story by CNN
June 6, 2025
Officer who used excessive force allowed to plead guilty to misdemeanor after felony conviction

Context:

A Los Angeles sheriff's deputy, Trevor Kirk, was initially convicted of a felony for using excessive force, but after a new US attorney took office, he was offered a plea deal to plead guilty to a misdemeanor, resulting in a four-month prison sentence. This decision came despite the victim's appeal to reinstate the felony conviction, which was denied. The incident involved Kirk tackling and pepper-spraying an older woman while she filmed an arrest, which led to significant injuries for the victim. The plea deal, considered unprecedented, has drawn criticism for sending a dangerous message about law enforcement accountability. The case reflects a broader trend under the Trump administration to take a more lenient approach toward prosecuting police misconduct, as evidenced by policy shifts and halted investigations into police departments accused of civil rights violations.

Dive Deeper:

  • Deputy Trevor Kirk was originally convicted of a felony for deprivation of rights under color of law, with a potential sentence of up to 10 years, but was offered a misdemeanor plea deal by US Attorney Bill Essayli, resulting in a four-month prison term.

  • The victim, represented by attorney Caree Harper, suffered a black eye, a fractured wrist, and chemical burns after being tackled and pepper-sprayed while filming an arrest, yet the government's revised account of the incident suggested she resisted, a claim unproven in court.

  • Critics argue that the plea agreement sends a problematic message, implying that law enforcement officials can negotiate lesser charges post-conviction, undermining accountability for excessive force.

  • The decision to offer a plea deal post-conviction is seen as highly unusual, especially in the absence of new evidence or prosecutorial misconduct, which is typically required for such legal maneuvers.

  • This case is part of a broader pattern under the Trump administration to ease federal oversight of police misconduct, including the cancellation of proposed policing reforms and the retraction of civil rights investigations into major police departments.

  • The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has placed Kirk on administrative leave pending an internal investigation to determine if he violated any policies or procedures during the incident.

  • All four members of the original prosecution team withdrew from the case following the plea deal, with some resigning or accepting federal buyouts, highlighting internal dissent regarding the handling of the case.

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