Black man pistol-whipped by Colorado officer testifies that he feared for his life

By COLLEEN SLEVIN
Associated Press

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (AP) — A former Colorado police officer is on trial over the violent arrest of a Black man in 2021. The man, Kyle Vinson, was the first person to take the witness stand as testimony began Tuesday against former Aurora police officer John Haubert. Vinson testified that he felt like he might die after mistakenly believing Haubert had accused him of having a gun. Prosecutors say Haubert used excessive and unreasonable force against Vinson, repeatedly hitting Vinson with his gun and strangling him for 39 seconds. Haubert’s lawyer said he was justified in using force because Vinson grabbed for the officer’s gun. The prosecution and Vinson said that did not happen.