Guam police officers acquitted in beatings that prosecutors claimed were racially motivated

Guam police officers acquitted

HAGATNA, Guam — A jury in the U.S. territory of Guam has acquitted eight police officers and two civilians accused of conspiring to beat up a group of young men in what a prosecutor called a racially motivated attack.

The four officers accused of the beating also were found not guilty of second-degree aggravated assault Tuesday. However, the jury failed to reach a verdict on the lesser charge of third-degree aggravated assault.

The defendants were accused of beating and kicking a group of young Micronesian men after they were arrested in November 2008. The defendants were also accused of trying to hide the alleged beatings.

Assistant Attorney General Clyde Lemons suggested the alleged crimes were racially motivated. Defense attorneys argued the allegations were fabricated.