OSSINING, N.Y. – A guard for the Sing Sing Correctional Facility was acquitted of criminal assault charges on Friday in Ossining despite the existence of security video showing him punching an inmate, according to the New York Times.
Guard Lavar Thomas was seen in the May 2015 video punching inmate Daniel Hyers five times in the head, testifying that he believed Hyers was going to spit on him, the Times said.
Prison superintendent Michael Capra, who reported the incident to the state's Department of Corrections internal affairs department, testified that Thomas' actions were 'absolutely not' justifiable, reported the New York Times.
Despite the Thomas acquittal, he remains on suspension, the Times reported.
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