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Md. officer’s conviction out in student beating

By WTOP Staff

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) — An officer’s conviction has been overturned in the beating of a University of Maryland student during a rowdy March 2010 basketball celebration.

Prince George’s County police officer James Harrison was found guilty of second-degree assault in the beating of John McKenna during the celebration that followed the Terrapins’ win over Duke.

Harrison was given a one-year suspended sentence in 2012 and served 30 days of home confinement. Earlier this month, a judge overturned the conviction, giving Harrison probation before judgment.

State’s attorney’s office spokesman John Erzen says prosecutors were disappointed that the judge set aside the jury’s verdict.

A message left Wednesday for Harrison’s attorney was not immediately returned.

A video that surfaced showed officers in riot gear beating McKenna. Charges were later dropped against him and many of the 28 arrested that night.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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