Jury deliberations begin in Delaware officer assault case

(AP) – Jury deliberations have begun in the trial of a white Delaware police officer charged with assault after breaking a black suspect’s jaw with a kick.

Jurors began deliberating the case of Dover police officer Thomas Webster IV late Friday morning after closing arguments.
    
Webster testified that he didn’t intend to kick Lateef Dickerson in the head but was aiming for Dickerson’s upper body.
    
Webster also said he feared for the safety of himself and others because officers were told Dickerson was armed with a gun, and Dickerson was slow to comply with repeated police commands to get on the ground.
    
Prosecutors say Webster acted recklessly and used excessive force.
    
Police dashcam video shows that Dickerson had placed his hands on the ground but wasn’t fully prone when Webster kicked him.