Hunter
05/28/21
A case against a Black Liberation Movement leader accused of injuring University of Iowa police officers with a laser pointer should be dismissed, according to the man’s attorney.
The Press-Citizen reports that Aaron Page argues the state hasn’t presented evidence that a laser pointer is capable of causing the type of eye injury his client, activist Mate Muhammad, is accused of. Muhammad was previously known as Matthew Bruce, which how court records are referring to him.
Attorney Page said in his filing that he sought the injured officers’ medical records and the deposition of UI ophthalmologist Dr. Tim Johnson, who provided medical treatment to the officers during an August protest. Page said he never got those records.
Last week, prosecutors said that they wouldn’t be calling Dr. Johnson as a witness. In Tuesday’s filing, Page said removing the doctor as a witness fundamentally alters the state of the evidence that Judge Chad Kepros relied on when he approved the trial.
A hearing on the motion is scheduled for July 1.