Illinois man allegedly beaten by police enters plea

ST. PAUL (AP) -- An Illinois man witnesses say was beaten by St. Paul police officers during an arrest pleaded guilty Friday to disorderly conduct.

Devonsha Thompson, 18, will not serve jail time in exchange for the guilty plea. A second charge of obstruction of the legal process was also dropped.

Ramsey County District Judge James Campbell fined Thompson $50, which comes with a $40 surcharge.

Thompson was one of three people arrested July 14 in downtown St. Paul when about 5,000 teen-agers walked through the area after a drill team competition at Rondo Days -- a celebration of St. Paul's African-American community and history.

Police said about 300 got out of hand and Thompson yelled vulgarities and charged at officers.

Four witnesses said they didn't see Thompson charge an officer and said officers hit Thompson with their clubs or flashlights while he was on the ground.

Thompson admitted using vulgarities, but denied charging an officer.

Thompson was in Aurora and didn't attend the court session. But he's still considering taking legal action against the city.

Thompson "has taken responsibility for what he did that evening. He now expects the city of St. Paul to also take responsibility for its role," said Patrick Noaker, Thompson's attorney.

The St. Paul Police Civilian Internal Affairs Review Commission reviewed the arrest and forwarded its findings to Police Chief William Finney. The commission did not interview Thompson, Noaker said, though police investigators did.

Finney will decide whether the officers will be punished based on the commissions findings.