FBI questioning 40 P.G. officers in U-Md. beating probe

UPDATE 9:44 a.m.: The FBI is interviewing 40 Prince George’s County police officers in hopes of learning new information about the case, but it’s unclear what role they may have played in the incident, FBI’s Baltimore Field Office spokesperson Richard Wolf told ABC7 News. Investigators will continue their interviews today.

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Wolf says investigators are reviewing the facts and circumstances surrounding the March incident, including the horse that was involved, persons hurt, the possibility of police brutality and if any federal crime was committed. There were no arrests, searches or warrants issued.

Regarding hopes of a resolution soon, Wolf says, “This is a sensitive investigation as are all civil rights cases. We are not in a hurry to rush through this.”

Meanwhile, the Prince George’s Police Department has pledged their support for the FBI’s investigation. The department provided the names of the 40 officers to the FBI, Prince George’s police spokesperson Major Andy Ellis said. An internal investigation is currently on a temporary hold pending the outcome of the FBI investigation because that could lead to criminal charges.

It’s still unclear what prompted the FBI to take over the investigation, but they’ve reportedly been aware of the incident since March.

The Department of Justice is also assisting with the investigation.

ORIGINAL STORY, Dec. 2, 10:02 p.m.:

The FBI, at the direction of the Civil Rights Division of the Justice Department, began interviewing Prince George's County police officers Thursday night in connection with the videotaped beating last spring of University of Maryland student Jack McKenna.

According to multiple sources, the feds have been taking a back seat to the Prince George's County Police department's own investigation until very recently. The investigation will now be taken over by the FBI and Justice Department.

This evening agents visited the homes of more than a dozen officers who were involved in the incident when students swarmed downtown College Park after a Maryland vs. Duke basketball game.

Three officers remain suspended for their actions that night. According to sources with knowledge of the case, no arrests have been made but the case is now expected to be resolved soon.

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