Prosecutor considers charging St. Paul cops

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- A prosecutor is reviewing whether charges should be filed against St. Paul police officers after an arrest captured on video shows one of them kicking a man.

Police asked the Ramsey County Attorney's office to look at the case. A spokesman tells the St. Paul Pioneer Press that office sent it to the Olmsted County Attorney's office to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest.

A YouTube video of the August arrest shows Officer Jesse Zilge kicking Eric Hightower as the 30-year-old man lay on the ground.

Police Chief Thomas Smith has launched an internal investigation. Smith placed Zilge and Officer Matthew Gorans on paid administrative leave, but police have not explained what role Gorans played in the arrest.

Both officers are back at work but not on patrol.

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Information from: St. Paul Pioneer Press

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