Zimmerman protests: L.A. files first charges against demonstrator

A 24-year-old man was charged Tuesday for allegedly punching a police officer during a demonstration in Mid-City, marking the first person L.A. prosecutors have charged in the series of protests against the verdict in the George Zimmerman trial, prosecutors said.

Brandon Bell, of Los Angeles, faces one count each of battery on a police officer, disobeying the orders of a police officer and resisting arrest, the L.A. city attorney’s office said.

If convicted on all counts, Bell could face up to two years in jail.

More than 20 people have been arrested in Los Angeles during demonstrations following a Florida jury’s decision Saturday to acquit Zimmerman, a former neighborhood watch volunteer, after shooting and killing 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.

Prosecutors said Bell was part of a group of demonstrators gathered near the intersection of 10th Avenue and Washington Boulevard on Sunday who refused police orders to leave the area. As the protesters came closer to the LAPD’s skirmish line, Bell allegedly punched one of the officers, prosecutors said, “ripping the name tag and pin from his uniform and driving him back off the line.”

Bell allegedly ran back into the crowd but returned after the group started throwing rocks, batteries and water bottles at the officers, prosecutors said. He then allegedly began “yelling at officers in an attempt to further incite the crowd.”

Police recognized Bell as their suspect in the earlier encounter, prosecutors said, and attempted to arrest him. He allegedly resisted and tried to go back into the crowd, but was taken into custody.

Bell is due in court July 30.

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andrew.blankstein@latimes.com

kate.mather@latimes.com