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Nation of Islam Minister Tony Muhammad and two of his security guards won't be charged with criminal battery for a scuffle last year with Los Angeles police officers, the city attorney announced Friday.
Closing a case that had sparked tension between African American community leaders and the police, City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo rejected a request by Police Chief William J. Bratton to charge Muhammad with misdemeanor battery on a police officer.
"After conducting an extensive factual investigation and a thorough legal analysis, and in accordance with the recommendation of the prosecutors in my office, I have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to file charges against Minister Muhammad and his two security guards in this matter," Delgadillo said in a statement.
Muhammad was attending an Aug. 25 street vigil for a Hyde Park shooting victim when an altercation occurred and police took him into custody. At the time, authorities said Muhammad had joined in a mob assault on officers.
Muhammad appeared after the confrontation with a bruised and swollen face and said police had kicked him in the face when he was on the ground handcuffed. He has since sued the LAPD, alleging that officers used excessive force.
Investigators found that an officer was pushed during the incident, but there was insufficient evidence that it...