Trial Starts For Providence Cop Who Punched Political Opponent

PROVIDENCE, RI — The trial for Providence police officer Jeann Lugo began in Providence on Tuesday. It included testimony from Jennifer Rourke, Lugo's then-political opponent who he was captured on video punching at a rally the day Roe Vs. Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court.

Lugo faces charges of simple assault and battery and disorderly conduct. His lawyer said what he did was out of self-defense.

Lugo and Rourke, who is the chair of the Rhode Island Political Cooperative, were both in attendance at a Roe V. Wade rally, which was attended by hundreds of people at the Rhode Island State House. Rourke was speaking at the rally when a commotion broke out when Josh Mello, of Cranston, shouted something at the crowd.

What followed was captured on video by journalist Bill Bartholomew and viewed millions of times.

On the video, Lugo can be seen punching Rourke multiple times. In the aftermath, Providence Police levied internal charges against Lugo, who was already facing criminal charges following an arrest.

Internal charges include multiple violations of police department policy, along with assault and disorderly conduct. Police Chief Hugh Clements recommended that Lugo be terminated from his position, based on the findings of an internal investigation.

On Tuesday, Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Daniel Carr Guglielmo called Rourke a "completely blameless victim", adding that she was "trying to do the right thing" by stopping a situation that eventually did turn violent.

According to reporting from the Boston Globe, Dan Griffin, Lugo's attorney, is asking to throw Rourke's testimony out, leaning hard into the self-defense angle. The Globe reports that Griffin said Lugo and Rourke "squared up" on video, and that Lugo — "a big, strong guy" — was within the law to use "enough force as necessary."

Judge Terence J. Houlihan Jr. disagreed, stating plainly that the self-defense argument is applicable, given what can be seen on video.

Houlihan dismissed the charge of disorderly conduct, but said the assault charge will remain. Lugo's next scheduled appearance is Sept. 6.