Mesereau May Defend Nation of Islam Leader

The Associated Press
Tuesday, September 13, 2005; 11:23 PM

LOS ANGELES -- The attorney who successfully defended Michael Jackson against child molestation charges said Tuesday he will represent a Nation of Islam leader for free if the man is charged as the result of a confrontation with police officers last month.

Minister Tony Muhammad said he was beaten by police during an Aug. 25 prayer vigil for a shooting victim. Authorities have said Muhammad was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed after he became "belligerent and uncooperative" when he was asked to move two vehicles blocking traffic.

Attorney Thomas Mesereau Jr. said his own investigation, including interviews with witnesses, determined Muhammad was assaulted.

"I was immediately appalled at what I learned," Mesereau told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Inexperienced officers with the LAPD drove to the scene and started to abuse Minister Muhammad."

Mesereau said he would represent Muhammad, the Nation of Islam's western regional director, without charge.

Police Chief William Bratton said Tuesday the city attorney's office is expected to decide in about two weeks whether to charge Muhammad. If he is charged, Bratton said it would likely be with interfering with police, a misdemeanor.

A transcript of the incident released by police showed that when an officer asked Muhammad to "back up," he twice responded, "Make me."

Community activist Danny Bakewell said the transcript only shows Muhammad was demanding officers respect his constitutional right to free assembly.

© 2005 The Associated Press