La High Schooler Jeremy Marks Raided for Recording Police Brutality

An African American student in Los Angeles charged with "attempted lynching" says a raid by police on Jeremy Marks' family home has left him unable to defend himself or even communicate with the outside world.

The case is attracting attention from civil liberties groups and activists who say the L.A. County District Attorney's office is conducting an overzealous prosecution on the high schooler who is accused of yelling "Kick her ass" when a crowd gathered around the police beating of a 15-year-old. From video evidence of the scene, it's unclear if Marks even uttered the words.  

Click here for a report about the raid by a website for social activism.

The original incident occurred in May 2010, when school resource officer Erin Robles confronted a 15-year-old student for smoking a cigar. She ended up pepper spraying him, hitting him with a baton and smashing his head through a city bus window. The incident was recorded by several students, including Marks, although the available videos on YouTube appear to be after the original violence.

The Skanner News Video 1

The Skanner News Video 2

Here is a report by the LA Weekly detailing the original case.