Edmonton police officer found not guilty of assault in 2019 arrest involving baton – Edmonton [Video]

An Edmonton Police Service officer was acquitted by a jury on Wednesday, after he was accused of assaulting a man with a baton while trying to arrest him more than five years ago.

Const. Alexander (Alex) Doduk was found not guilty of assault with a weapon and assault causing bodily harm in connection with an encounter he had with Edmonton man Justin LaFrance in November of 2019.

Court of King’s Bench Justice Lisa Silver told the jury on Tuesday it had to decide whether Doduk’s use of force was justified. If the jury had any doubts that the officer’s actions were criminal, they must acquit.

A security video played in court showed Doduk is attempting to arrest LaFrance at about 8:35 a.m. on Nov. 26, 2019, along 97th Street north of 103A Avenue.

Const. Doduk punched LaFrance in the head before pulling out his baton, striking him several times. It also shows LaFrance repeatedly approached Doduk …