Officer Convicted For Assaulting Homeless Woman

UPPER MARLBORO, MD — A police officer, accused of shouting obscenities at a homeless woman, pulling her up from the ground by her ears and hitting her in the head, had been convicted of assault and faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Prince George's County State's Attorney announced Tuesday that Officer George Merkel, who worked in an outer suburb of Washington, D.C., was convicted of assault and misconduct.

Two other county police officers said they saw his abusive behavior toward the woman and testified at trial.

The 52-year-old Merkel has been suspended by the Prince George's County Police Department. His sentencing has been scheduled for January.

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