Flagstaff cop who punched woman in video indicted again for assault
Mar 19, 2018, 12:38 PM
PHOENIX — A Flagstaff police officer who was shown punching a woman in a viral video two years ago has been indicted again on aggravated assault charges.
Court records showed Jeffrey Bonar was indicted last month by a grand jury on two counts of aggravated assault for allegedly punching Marissa Morris in the face during an eviction call.
Bonar — who has since changed his last name to Wilson after getting married — was indicted on two counts of the same crime last year. A judge ordered the case to be re-examined by a jury.
Wilson was placed on administrative leave after the November 2016 incident. He resigned two months later.
A disciplinary board recommended Wilson be terminated from the department. He left before he could be presented with the board’s findings.
In a press conference, Flagstaff Police Chief Kevin Treadway said Wilson was helping the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office with an eviction when he recognized Morris.
Treadway said Wilson was involved with a call related to Morris a month prior and believed she still had outstanding warrants. He wanted to detain her to check and the situation became heated.
“After her arrest, it was determined that the warrants had already been served and were no longer valid,” Treadway said.
Wilson, who was with another officer, and Morris, whom authorities described as “somewhat uncooperative,” had exchanged words before he hit her. Treadway said Wilson reported Morris had kicked and kneed him prior to the punch.
Treadway said Wilson violated at least six department policies — including displaying excessive force — during the incident.