Louisiana Trooper Seen Body-Slamming Man on Video Acted Appropriately, Officials Say

Louisiana State Police officials said a trooper caught on video body-slamming a man in New Orleans' French Quarter early Saturday acted appropriately.

The trooper had just finished his shift around 4 a.m. when an employee of a bar on Bourbon Street asked him to remove an intoxicated man who was refusing to leave, said Louisiana State Police Public Information Officer Melissa Matey.

The man, identified as 39-year-old Michael Hoffman of Illinois, refused to leave despite the officer asking him multiple times to, Matey said.

The video begins with the police officer speaking to Hoffman's brother as Hoffman is heard in the background asking, "How is this okay?" The trooper then tells Hoffman and his brother to "take a walk."

"But, I can press charges," Hoffman says.

Hoffman's brother, who police say was trying to diffuse the situation and get Hoffman to leave the area, the gets between Hoffman and the officer before he is pushed aside, falling into trash cans lining the street.

The trooper then grabs Hoffman to arrest him.

"You're on video," Hoffman warns, as the scuffle moves into a nearby restaurant.

Hoffman is then slammed to the ground as the trooper attempts to get handcuffs him in front of an onlooking crowd, according to the video. Hoffman lies on the ground for several seconds as the trooper tells him to put his hands behind his back.

Hoffman was given a municipal summons for resisting arrest, public intoxication, criminal trespassing and disturbing the peace, Matey said. His brother was not charged, arrested or given a summons, she added.

Supervisors at the Louisiana State Police Headquarters in Baton Rouge reviewed the video, and Superintendent Col. Mike Edmonson said the trooper's actions were appropriate under the circumstances, Matey said.

Hoffman's lawyer, Stephen London, said Hoffman and his brother were having issues retrieving their credit card from the waitress at the bar when they became irritated and informed the bartender, who told them to leave. Hoffman then called 911 for assistance and thought the trooper who he encountered was responding to his 911 call, London said.

After the encounter, Hoffman sought medical attention for a cut on his side, as well as other bruises and lacerations, London told ABC News. He has not decided if he will take legal action against the trooper, London added.

As part of his municipal summons, Hoffman will be required to appear in a New Orleans municipal court, London said.