Ex-officer who beat Black man with gun goes on trial in Colorado
By COLLEEN SLEVIN
Associated Press
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — A former Colorado police officer is on trial over the violent arrest of a Black man in 2021. A prosecutor told jurors during opening statements Tuesday that John Haubert repeatedly hit Kyle Vinson with his gun and strangled him for 39 seconds. Haubert’s lawyer said he was justified in using force against Vinson because he grabbed for the officer’s gun. The prosecution denies that happened. Haubert has pleaded not guilty to assault and other charges. The trial follows the prosecution of Aurora police officers and paramedics from the city’s fire department in the 2019 death of Elijah McClain last year.