DENVER — Just released video shows the moments an off-duty Denver police corporal loses his temper and knocks a handcuffed man unconscious. The incident occurred last April at Jackson’s, a downtown bar, where Cpl. Oestmann was off-duty working security.
“The guy clearly assaulted the cop, but that’s for sure excessive force. The guy’s handcuffed and not a threat to a cop,” said civil rights attorney Richard Barnwell.
Denver police released body cam and security camera video of what investigators say happened April 14, 2018, after a fight broke out. Oestmann reportedly handcuffed Kevin Watson and kept him in a chair in the basement when things escalated.
The video shows, for several minutes, Watson berating and spitting at Oestmann’s feet. Watson then spits at Oestmann’s face, and that’s when Oestman reportedly punched him in the face and kneed him in the chest.
“You will not spit on me again! Do you understand me?” yells Oestmann.
Oestmann later admits he lost control in the video.
