ORLANDO, Fla. – Refus Holloway Jr. is speaking out after prosecutors announced Friday that the officer seen beating him in a video last March is now facing battery charges.
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"It was a big relief, it's a big boulder that came off my shoulders when I found out he was charged," said Holloway.
It was Holloway's sister, who he calls his "lifesaver," who captured video of the man prosecutors say is Officer William Escobar. In the video, Escobar punches Holloway twice in the head and then seconds later starts kicking him.
"He was aggressive, he didn't want to talk, he didn't want to listen, he didn't care. He was doing what he wanted to do," Holloway explained.
Holloway was already handcuffed and face-down on the ground when the blows were thrown.
"I was terrified. I was in handcuffs and he was laying into me," he said.
Prosecutors said the video contradicts what was written in Escobar's police report. He claims he hit Holloway in the head to keep him from standing up and kicked him to avoid being kicked himself. So along with battery, Escobar is also charged with two counts of perjury.
Holloway said he forgives all three officers involved that night, but still wants the remaining two to face charges.
"I don't take it to heart," said Holloway. "As hard as it is, I really do forgive them."
His attorney, Bradley Laurent, said they are in the process of suing the city of Orlando. He has filed a notice of intent and the city has six months to respond. They are hoping to receive damages between $100,000 and $200,000.
Laurent also tells Local 6 they will file civil lawsuits against all three officers involved in the incident.
OPD officer faces charges