Robert Davis (born 1941) is a retired elementary school teacher and resident of New Orleans who was detained, arrested, and beaten by four police officers on October 8, 2005, on suspicion of public intoxication.
... All I know is this guy attacked me and said, 'I will kick your ass,' and they proceeded to do it.As Davis was arrested, Associated Press producer Rich Matthews was jabbed in the stomach and shoved into a police cruiser by a third officer who shouted, "I've been here for six weeks trying to keep fucking alive.
"[5] Officers Lance Schilling, Robert Evangelist, and Stuart Smith were released on bond after appearing before a judge to make their not guilty pleas.
According to their account, a drunken Davis walked into a police horse while asking about the curfew, and belligerently resisted officers who confronted him.
Stuart Smith was the officer charged with assaulting the AP producer;[6] he was suspended for 120 days, while Robert Evangelist and Lance Schilling were fired for their participation in the beating.
[9] On July 24, 2007, Officer Robert Evangelist was cleared of all charges by Judge Frank Marullo, who was later quoted in reference to the trial, "I didn't even find this a close call."