From Bolsavik.com
by Vu Hao Nhien

The sole Vietnamese-American on the city council of San Jose said in a written statement that she is “greatly disturbed” by the police beating of Vietnamese student Phuong Ho. In a separate interview with the Bolsavik, Councilmember Madison Nguyen also said she supports putting body cameras on police officers that record audio and video.

The statement was issued by three council members. In addition to Nguyen, councilmembers Sam Liccardo and Ash Kalra also signed. Kalra is a former public defender; Liccardo is a former D.A. and the alleged beating took place in his district.

The three wrote, “We are greatly disturbed by the video released by the San Jose Mercury News on the arrest of Phuong Ho, a Vietnamese exchange student at San Jose State University.” Read more here.

They stated, “The behavior of the San Jose Police officers at the scene needs to be investigated thoroughly to ensure accountability for their actions.”

In an acknowledgement that the secrecy surrounding the investigation of the Daniel Pham shooting was – at the least – problematic, the statement said, “We also ask that if the District Attorney chooses to conduct a grand jury proceeding, that it be open to the public.”

In an interview conducted for Nguoi Viet Daily News, Nguyen told the Bolsavik that she believes San Jose police needs some department-wide reforms.

“Many advocacy groups have asked that officers carry devices that can record audio and video,” Nguyen said. “Many other cities already implemented this.”

“The San Jose Police Department needs to take on this reform,” Nguyen said. These evidence gathering devices would also ensure “officers are held accountable.”

San Jose State math major Phuong Ho (Vietnamese name: Hồ Quang Phương) said he was kidding around with a roommate when the latter, taking it seriously, called the police.

When police came, Ho was unarmed. As an officer attempted to handcuff him, his glasses fell off, and Ho reached down for them.

That was when the officer started beating him with a metal baton. A second officer Taser-ed him.

Another roommate videotaped the whole event, where the beating victim can be seen on the ground and can be heard crying and moaning. The roommate sold the video to Ho’s lawyer, who gave it to the San Jose Mercury News.

On the video, it appears that at one point, handcuffs were snapped on Ho, and after that the police delivered yet another baton blow.