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Mayor Speaking Out After New Video Surfaces In Alleged Police Brutality Case

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A second video surfaces in a case of alleged police brutality. The mayor speaks out, saying the city and police department have to find ways to stop the use of excessive force.

Rochelle Ritchie has the new video and most recent case against the police department.

Baltimore City Police declined an interview to respond to the video. The man's attorney says the officers who are now back on the job acted with such force their client could have died.

Jamar Kennedy is the latest Baltimore City resident to seek legal counsel after cell phone video captured Baltimore City police officers repeatedly hitting him with batons as he tried to walk away from the attack, his hands in the air trying to block the blows.

Just last week, the Baltimore City Police Department did a play-by-play of the events that night.

"The suspect now is on top of the officer, the officer is pinned under the suspect. Right in here you see the suspect's arm is over the officer's gun belt."

In a statement to WJZ, Kennedy's attorneys say:

"If this behavior complies with the Baltimore police policy and training, then an overhaul of the policy and training is warranted as we also believe this behavior is unreasonable and possibly life-threatening."

Police say the video doesn't show the fact Kennedy was involved in a fight with a bouncer prior to the officers getting to the lounge.

The officers who were suspended with pay following the incident are now back on the job.

This is the second police brutality in Baltimore in the last three months. In June, surveillance video showed another officer brutally beating a man at a bus stop.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says it is clear changes are necessary.

"The issue for me is making sure we are doing everything we can so the officers in Baltimore City approach each issue with the appropriate amount of force," Mayor Rawlings-Blake said.

Kennedy was charged with assault and resisting arrest. His attorneys tell WJZ:

"Mr. Kennedy does not seek to be the focus but shares his story in order to put the spotlight on the police officers' use of excessive force."

Kennedy has since been released from jail.

The city has paid out nearly $12 million in tax payer dollars to police brutality victims.

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