Security Video Shows LAPD Beating South LA Man

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Security video from 2014 shows Clinton Alford, Jr. running from police in South Los Angeles while three officers subdue him. Officer Richard Garcia runs out of his patrol car, kicks, punches, elbows and then repeatedly knees the man.

Alford says he was beat unconscious in a case of mistaken identity.

"Good lord... I know we all have children. What if that was one of your children?" Alford's mother Valerie Washington said.

Alford's family and attorney fought hard to get the video released. It's now months after officer Garcia agreed to plea no contest to a felony assault charge. In that agreement he won't face jail time if he completes community service and donates $500 to a charity. Alford's family is not happy with that deal.

Is it possible the judge was lenient toward the officer because of Alford's checkered past? Court records show he's currently facing pimping, rape, and assault with a deadly weapon charges.

Legal analyst Steve Meister says that's why he thinks the officer was offered the deal.

"Mr. Alford is not going to make a sympathetic witness due to his own criminal activity and suspected criminal involvement," Meister said.

Alford's mother says no one should be beaten like this.

"I just thank the good lord that they didn't kill my son, he was on the ground defenseless."