NYPD police officer guilty of stomping on suspect's head

NEW YORK (AP) — Finding him guilty of misdemeanor assault, a judge said a New York City police officer "gratuitously" stomped on a suspect's head as fellow officers tried to handcuff the man.

Officer Joel Edouard was convicted Friday after a non-jury trial at state Supreme Court in Brooklyn.

Prosecutors said the 38-year-old officer had stopped Jahmiel Cuffee in July 2014 after spotting him drinking on the sidewalk and possessing marijuana.

Prosecutors said Edouard was caught on a bystander's video pulling out his gun and then stomping on Cuffee's head as the man was face down on the ground, subdued by other officers.

Edouard has been suspended from the police force.

His attorney said he was disappointed with the verdict. He said his client is a "terrific" officer.