GRETNA, La. (WGNO) – It was an incredibly brief status hearing for 17-year-old Brady Becker of Reserve, maybe lasting a minute. The judge reset the hearing for May 1, 2015. And then Becker, his mother and his lawyer left the Jefferson Parish Criminal Courthouse.
WGNO was the only TV station at Monday’s hearing and heard new comments from Becker’s lawyer David Belfield.
He told us they’re waiting to see if the Jefferson Parish District Attorney will officially move forward with charges against Becker for resisting arrest and battery of a police officer.
You probably remember the viral video showing a JPSO deputy beating up Becker in the Lakeside Parking Garage during Mardi Gras.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand argued that that force was necessary during Becker’s arrest. But Becker’s attorney says that force was excessive. He told us they have filed a lawsuit against the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for $5-million, a million for each time he was punched.
He also told WGNO:
“This is a lawsuit of excessive force. The guy went overboard. The kid had fractures in his face… What law did he break for the police to beat him like that? Oswald killed President Kennedy, he wasn’t beaten up? Next time, a Jefferson Parish Deputy will think about that million dollar punch,” said Belfield.