February trial set for ex-cop who smacked woman after parade

JONATHAN JOSEY II, the decorated Highway Patrol supervisor who was fired from the Philadelphia Police Department after being filmed punching a woman during the city's Puerto Rican Day Parade in September, will be tried in February, a judge ruled Monday.

Josey, 39, who is charged with simple assault, was not at the brief status hearing in Municipal Court, but his attorney, Fortunato Perri Jr., said he would be exonerated at trial, scheduled to get under way Feb. 12.

"When we have the opportunity to present all the evidence in the courtroom, we'll be able to show that Lt. Josey acted reasonably under the circumstances. That being the case, we are confident he will be acquitted of all the charges," Perri said after leaving the courthouse.

Near the end of the annual North Philadelphia parade, a bystander used a cellphone to record the confrontation between the 19-year-veteran cop and Aida Guzman, 39, of Chester.

In the video, just before Josey punches Guzman to the ground and arrests her, she is seen jumping up and down behind Josey and a group of police officers, who are engaged in a car stop.

The officers turn around after liquid is thrown on them. Guzman, holding a bottle, turns and attempts to walk away from the cops, but is caught by Josey, who punches her in the face, causing her to fall and her lip to bleed.

The video was posted on YouTube, where it has been seen more than 1 million times. Although the incident has derailed Josey's career, Perri said his client wants his job back after he is cleared in court.

"He's looking forward to the opportunity to get back to work doing what he loves to do best, which is to protect the people of the city of Philadelphia," Perri said.