CENTER CITY -
Former Police Lt. Jonathan Josey left the courthouse pleased with the judge's verdict of not guilty in this highly publicized video smack down of Aida Guzman at last year's Puerto Rican Day Parade.
"I believe he came out with a fair decision,"
Josey told FOX 29 in a one on one interview, he desperately wants to get the job he loves back.
"This was my everything, my career meant everything to me," Josey said. "It was like a piece of me was taken away."
Judge Patrick Dugan acquitted Josey of simple assault for swinging and knocking Guzman down at 5th and Lehigh last September. Dugan said he was troubled by the video, but added "this is not trial by video."
"A fair minded judge took the opportunity to carefully review and evaluate the evidence," defense attorney Fortunato Perri Jr. said.
"I have to say I'm disappointed," said Commissioner Charles Ramsey. He says he will not reinstate Josey unless ordered to do so by an arbitrator.
"I thought excessive force was used to an extent where termination was the appropriate action and I stand by that," Ramsey told FOX 29.
"Understand if this can take place on camera, what can take place off of camera," Guzman's attorney told reporters after the verdict.
The verdict incensed Guzman's attorney, who blasted the ruling, and said he planned to pursue a federal civil rights investigation and a federal civil rights lawsuit.
"This was an injustice to Miss Guzman, it was an injustice to the Puerto Rican and Spanish community," said attorney Enrique Latoison.
Guzman said she was stunned by the verdict and called it a cover up. She was offended by the judge's comments about the crowd at 5th and Lehigh that day and felt Josey was wrong.
"The Spanish community was portrayed as scary, lawless, people that were creating a mob situation," Latoison explained.
"We put up our best case and we believed in our case," the prosecutor said.
"It takes us back 10 steps," said Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez. "When justice is not received I can understand and I share their anger and frustration."
The councilwoman says she does not think Josey should be returned to duty. At a minimum, she said he should be demoted and not ever put in charge as a commanding officer on a scene.
Former Police Lt. Jonathan Josey speaks one-on-one with FOX 29 reporter Dave Schratwieser.
Video captured last year during the city's Puerto Rican Day Parade shows Josey striking a woman.
