Attorney: Punchy cop will be exonerated at trial

JONATHAN JOSEY II, the decorated highway patrol supervisor who was fired from the Philadelphia Police Department after being video-recorded punching a woman during the city's Puerto Rican Day Parade in September, will be tried Feb. 12, 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.

"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, a slightly built woman who lives in Chester.

Just prior to Josey punching Guzman to the ground and arresting 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 someone other than Guzman throws liquid from a bottle 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 is looking forward to getting 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.

" @MensahDean