Philadelphia Judge who Found Police Lieutenant Not Guilty of Assault Caught on Video, is Married to one of Cop's Supporters

Philadelphia Judge Patrick Dugan

By Davy V.

Posted Friday March 1, 2013 12:25 p.m.

The video shows 39-year old Aida Guzman having fun, spraying silly string in the air, at Philadelphia's Puerto Rican Festival.

Then, just a few seconds later, someone behind Guzman, is seen throwing a liquid in the direction of several police officers conducting a traffic stop of a motorist.

That's when Philadelphia Police Lt. Jonathan Josey, a 19-year veteran, turns around, charges Guzman, and punches her in the face, knocking her to the street.

Guzman is then seen bleeding from her mouth, being led away in handcuffs, as someone in the background is heard saying "Look at her face!"

Philadelphia Police Lt. Jonathan Josey punching Aida Guzman

In an attempt to justify what was a clear case of police brutality, Philadelphia Police charged Aida Guzman with disorderly conduct, charges which were later dropped by the district attorney.

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter said he was "horrified", at the incident and apologized to Guzman.

Shortly after the video hit Youtube, Lt. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, who called Josey's assault on Guzman "troubling", fired him.

However, earlier this week, Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Patrick Dugan found Josey not guilty of assault after a bench trial.

A bleeding Aida Guzman led away in handcuffs

So, how, you may ask, can a video which clearly shows a police officer assaulting a woman, not be enough for a judge to convict him of assault?

Four words.

Good ol' boys club.

You see, it turns out Judge Patrick Dugan is married to Philly police officer Nancy Farrell Dugan, a 16-year veteran of the Philadelphia Police department.

And earlier this month, the Judge's wife was one of about 100 Philadelphia police officers, who packed the courtroom in a show of support for Lt. Josey during his trial.

Enrique Latoison, Guzman's attorney said he had just learned that the Judge was married to Philadelphia Police officer Nancy Farrell Dugan.

Latoison has asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the case and intends to file a civil lawsuit against Lt. Josey.

“When it was brought to my attention that his wife was a police officer, it was very surprising and I consider it to be a conflict of interest,” said Latoison.

But wait, it gets better.

Lt. Jonathan Josey

Philadelphia's Police union, the Fraternal Order of Police, or 'FOP', threw a party for the fired Police Lieutenant.

They called it the "Come On Out and Support ONE OF OUR OWN" bash.

"You're kidding me, right?" said Philadelphia City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez said of the party.

"While I understand that the FOP has to defend one of its own, I am extremely disappointed because this will appear that they are condoning the very visible actions of Josey, which hurts the image of their good officers," added Sanchez, who represents the district where the incident occurred.

And retired Philadelphia police Captain Ray Lewis, who is involved in a dispute with the FOP sparked by his involvement with the Occupy Wall Street movement, called the benefit "unbelievable", but said "it's no surprise."

I have to give props to Philadelphia City Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, and Captain Ray Lewis for not being afraid to speak out, unlike the spineless, sell-out cowards on City Council in my hometown of Rochester, NY who condone misconduct and corruption on the part of the Rochester, NY Police department.


Click Play to watch video

Follow me on twitter https://twitter.com/davyvara