San Diego

Protester Accused of Pepper Spraying San Diego Police Acquitted

Prosecutors contended that the man pepper sprayed 11 officers during the protest against police violence in downtown San Diego on Aug. 28, 2020

Protesters for racial justice and San Diego police in downtown San Diego.
NBC 7

A man charged with pepper spraying San Diego police officers during a heated protest last year has been acquitted of all charges.

A jury on Thursday found Denzel Draughn, 29, not guilty of eight felonies: two counts of using tear gas on officers and six counts of resisting officers.

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Prosecutors contended that Draughn pepper sprayed 11 officers during the protest against police violence in downtown San Diego on Aug. 28, 2020.

The charges stemmed from a confrontation between officers and protesters during a demonstration five days after the shooting of Jacob Blake by police in Kenosha, Wis.

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Police sprayed what appeared to be pepper spray at a group, then tackled one person to the ground and detained them.

Deputy Public Defender Damian Lowe told jurors Draughn sprayed the officers because he saw a group of them tackling a man to the ground, then punching and kicking him.

β€œFrom his point of view, these officers are attacking these protesters,” Lowe said during opening statements.

Draughn’s case garnered support from some community members, in part because he was initially detained on $750,000 bail β€” which supporters said was an excessive amount. During arraignment, a judge lowered bail to $150,000, and Draughn posted bail.

Copyright The Associated Press
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