Jury Trial Set For Man Allegedly Brutalized By Baltimore Police Officer

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--The family of a 24-year-old longshore worker demands justice after they say their son was beaten by a Baltimore City officer in February at Power Plant Live complex.

Rick Ritter has more.

Aaron Winston suffered a torn shoulder and broken arm following the alleged incident.

Nearly 3 months later, he's recovering but the pain is still fresh.

"This was just wrong, and I  just want justice to be served for my son," said Renee Winston, mother of Aaron Winston.

After a night at Power Plant Live back in February, the 24-year-old says he was brutalized by an officer inside a club.

Winston's family claims the longshore worker saw a friend being arrested and when he approached the officer to ask what was going on he was choked and thrown to the ground.

"Too many people are getting hurt, the city is paying too much money in lawsuits," said Arron's father, Edward Winston.

But police have a different story saying Winston approached the officer in an aggressive manner.

"Our police officers described Mr. Winston as disorderly and interfering with the escort of the patron out of the nightclub," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Kevin Davis.

Winston faces several charges including second degree assault and disorderly conduct.

On Tuesday, he was granted a jury trial.

"We expect that my client will be found not guilty of all the charges filed against him," said Arron's attorney, Jay Wyndal Gordon.

Winston was present for his hearing Tuesday, the first time he's been in front of cameras since the incident.

"We've pulled together as a family, his dad and  I , we both take him to therapy," said Renee.

Police tell WJZ they've interviewed numerous witnesses since the start of the investigation.

"It's clear to all of us that we need to find out what happened," Davis says.

"The only thing I want is justice to be served, I don't hate police,  I  don't dislike police," said Renee.

Police are still asking anyone they haven't heard from yet to come forward.

Winston's jury trial is scheduled for June 6th.

He's still receiving physical therapy and now has screws in his arm.

Police say Winston wanted a medic the night of his arrest and was immediately taken to the hospital.