Ex-NYPD officer convicted of lying about clash with bike activist, acquitted of assault

Ex-NY officer convicted of lying in YouTube clash

NEW YORK — A former New York City police officer has been convicted of lying about a clash with a bike-riding activist, but cleared of assault and harassment charges.

Jurors delivered their verdict Thursday in the criminal case against Patrick Pogan.

The Manhattan trial underscored tensions between the city’s police and a group of pro-cycling demonstrators. The case also highlighted the growing prevalence of witness videos in law enforcement.

Pogan initially reported that cyclist Christopher Long steered into him and knocked him down in July 2008 in Times Square. A tourist’s video replayed on YouTube contradicted Pogan’s account.

Pogan testified last week that he was trying to protect himself during the encounter and never meant to misrepresent what happened.