Dover police officer Thomas Webster IV was acquitted of felony assault and misdemeanor assault charges today after kicking Lateef Dickerson, in the head so hard that it broke his jaw during a 2013 arrest.
Webster testified he didn't intend to kick Lateef Dickerson in the head in August 2013 and instead was aiming for his upper body. Webster also said he feared for the safety of himself and others because officers were told Dickerson was armed with a gun, and Dickerson was slow to comply with repeated commands to get on the ground.
Jurors deliberated for about 16 hours over three days before acquitting Dover police officer Thomas Webster IV of felony assault and misdemeanor assault.