Three San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies accused of felony assault by a peace officer all pleaded not guilty yesterday in San Bernardino Superior Court. A new hearing was set for April 13. Nick Downey, Charles Foster, and Michael Phelps are accused of using excessive force on Francis Pusok following a three-hour pursuit April 9, 2015. A video shot by a KNBC-4 news helicopter showed 10 deputies, seven of whom were not charged, hitting and kicking Pusok, who had fallen off a stolen horse. The deputies’ attorneys argued that the rocky and sloped hill—and the danger Pusok posed to the deputies—made their actions reasonable. But Judge Katrina West ordered the deputies held for trial. Pusok is due in court today on charges related to the pursuit.
