Officer's attorney: Teen deserved punch

The attorney for Jeremy Morse says the officer, center, punched Jackson after the teen grabbed his midsection.

INGLEWOOD, California (CNN) -- The handcuffed 16-year-old seen in a now-famous videotape being treated roughly by police deserved to be punched because he grabbed the midsection of the officer, an attorney representing the officer charged Thursday.

"He took action that required he be punched," attorney John Barnett told CNN. "The facts will show that the use of force was restrained given all of the circumstances."

Barnett is representing Officer Jeremy Morse, a three-year veteran of the Inglewood police force who has been suspended over the incident.

In an afternoon briefing, Inglewood Police Chief Ronald Banks said he found the actions of the officers on the tape "was not reflective of our normal practices and way of doing business." He said he was concerned and disappointed by Morse's behavior on the tape.

The amateur video shows Morse pick up Donovan Jackson and slam him on the trunk of a patrol car, and later hit him in the face. Jackson's hands were handcuffed behind his back during the Saturday incident.

"You cannot see what the subject is doing with his hands just prior to being hit in the face," Barnett said. "It's reported that [Jackson], after being placed on the vehicle, grabbed the testicles of the officer, and thereafter he was punched."

Police chief says investigation under way

CNN NewsPass VIDEO Surveillance video of Mitchell Crooks getting taken into custody outside CNN's Los Angeles bureau (July 11) Play video The family of a teen-ager seen beaten by police in a videotape has filed suit. CNN's Thelma Gutierrez reports. (July 11) Play video   GALLERY Caught on tape    RESOURCES • Read the complaint: Jackson v. CIty of Inglewood (FindLaw) (PDF) • CNN Access: Supervisor should have been at beating scene  • Transcript: Officer relieved of duty

The incident has prompted outrage among the community, its mayor and elected officials, and resulted in multiple investigations, including probes by the FBI, the district attorney's office, and the sheriff and police departments.

Banks said his department is investigating the appropriateness of the officers' use of force, as well as the officers' actions.

Law enforcement officials have insisted that Jackson started the altercation. The attorneys for the father and son dispute that, saying deputies provoked the incident, which they claim was racially motivated. Jackson and his father filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging their civil rights were violated. (Full story)

The police chief said he has seen no evidence to support their claims.

"We serve a heavily minority community. We serve them on a daily basis well within the guidelines of our policy," Banks said. "To take this particular incident and to characterize it as an example of racial profiling to me is unwarranted."

Banks said there have been complaints against Morse in the past, but he would not say what they were or whether Morse had been investigated for them.

"If he was other than an exemplary officer and we found the need to take action, that action would be taken," he assured the reporters.

A grand jury, convened this week, has already begun interviewing potential witnesses. One of those summoned to appear before the grand jury was Mitchell Crooks, the man who shot the amateur videotape from a hotel across the street from the incident. Prosecutors want to look at the original videotape to see what else it might show.

In a bizarre turn of events Thursday, Crooks was arrested by plainclothes officers in Hollywood, just outside a building housing CNN offices.

Crooks was arrested on outstanding warrants for petty theft and hit-and-run in Placer County, in northern California, said the Los Angeles County district attorney's office. He did not appear to be roughed up as the district attorney's officers made the arrest and put him in the vehicle, but he screamed "Help! Help! Help! Help me!" as the car drove away. (Full story)

In a radio interview Wednesday, Crooks said he was afraid for his life because of his role in the case.

"They're just coming after me because I shot the video. That's basically what this is boiling down to now. I'm fearing for my life," said Crooks. "They're going to kick my ass in the cell or take turns on me, probably." (Full story)

Mayor's comments called 'disturbing'

During the interview with CNN, attorney Barnett said officer Morse has "put his faith in the system" but is "appropriately concerned given the avalanche of negative publicity."

The attorney said his job is to put the videotape "into context" and "explain those things that you cannot see on the videotape." He blasted Mayor Roosevelt F. Dorn, who has said Morse should be fired and prosecuted.

"The mayor of the city pronounced him guilty prior to trial and that is particularly disturbing, given the past events in Los Angeles' history," Barnett said.