Ex-NYPD officer goes on trial over clash with cyclist; jury sees video of encounter

Ex-NYPD officer goes on trial over cyclist clash

NEW YORK — A Times Square tourist’s amateur video is in the spotlight at the trial of a former police officer accused of assaulting a bike-riding activist and lying about it.

The video that jurors saw Monday has drawn more than 2 million online views since it was shot in July 2008. It shows ex-officer Patrick Pogan striding toward a participant in a pro-cycling demonstration and shoving the rider off his bike.

Prosecutors say Pogan recklessly attacked the cyclist. They say Pogan tried to conceal his actions by reporting that the demonstrator ignored orders to stop and rammed him.

Defense lawyer Stuart London says the rookie officer just acted on instructions to stop the demonstrators if they broke traffic rules.

London also says a supervisor wrote the disputed report for Pogan.