Peoria police plead not guilty in alleged beating

PEORIA -- Two Peoria police officers have pleaded not guilty to charges they beat and shocked a man with a stun gun after a car chase.

Peoria County State's Attorney Kevin Lyons says 29-year-old Andrew Smith and 39-year-old Gerald Suelter (SELL'-ter) pleaded not guilty Thursday to official misconduct, aggravated battery, battery and mob action.

The officers are accused of beating Bryce Scott of Peoria in May 2008. They were charged last month after Lyons saw a videotape of the incident captured by a squad car camera.

Lyons says a third officer, 31-year-old Jeremy J. Layman, pleaded not guilty last week to obstructing justice and official misconduct in the case.

Scott, now 34, claims he was pepper sprayed, kicked, punched and shocked.