Hawaii Cop Charged With Civil Rights Violations After Attack On Bystanders

A Hawaii cop has been charged with civil rights violations after a video showed him attacking two bystanders during a police raid.

Honolulu police officer Vincent Morre has agreed to plead guilty to two counts of depriving people of their rights under color of law, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reports. Morre faces a maximum of 10 years imprisonment for each count, according to TV station KHON.

Surveillance video emerged in October showing Morre slapping, kicking and punching two men who do not appear to be threatening or engaging the officer during a raid of an illegal gambling house.

At one point in the footage, Morre throws a metal stool at one of the men's heads. According to Hawaii News Now, that man went to the hospital with a broken finger and required stitches.

Myles Breiner, attorney for one of the men, said Morre and two other officers in Honolulu Police Department's crime reduction unit were looking for an individual who wasn't in the gambling room at the time of the raid. Morre took his frustration out on the bystanders, according to Breiner.

Morre was assigned to desk duty shortly after the raid and the FBI launched an investigation, according to Hawaii News Now.

Morre's attorney, David Hayakaya, said in a statement that Morre "deeply regrets the impact his actions have caused the victims, his fellow Honolulu police officers and his family. ... Mr. Morre will not make any excuses for his actions. He will take full responsibility.”