Huge Twist After Judge Sees Video of Mayor’s Security Altercation [WATCH]

A San Francisco judge has ordered the release of a homeless man accused of attacking a security officer assigned to Mayor Daniel Lurie after reviewing viral video footage of the confrontation, as reported by The New York Post.

Judge Sylvia Husing ruled that Tony Phillips, a 44-year-old homeless man, had been “violently attacked” by the mayor’s police bodyguard after examining surveillance video and other evidence presented in court.

The incident occurred near Cedar Street, an alley in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.

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The confrontation involved Joel Aguayo, a police officer serving as part of Mayor Lurie’s security detail. According to the video, Aguayo shoved Phillips into a pile of trash while the mayor stood nearby.

The altercation quickly escalated into a physical struggle.

Phillips had initially been charged in connection with the incident after Aguayo suffered injuries during the scuffle.

Court records show the officer sustained cuts to the back of his head, bruising to his face, and a back injury after Phillips bodyslammed him during the confrontation.

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After reviewing the footage, however, Judge Husing concluded that the situation appeared to begin when Aguayo initiated physical contact.

Phillips’ attorney, Ivan Rodriguez, argued in court that the encounter was the result of the mayor’s actions during the visit to the area.

“The mayor lured his security detail into engaging in this senseless altercation, all for political theatrics, your honor,” Rodriguez said in the courtroom, according to Mission Local.

Rodriguez also criticized the mayor’s conduct during the incident.

“I don’t think that’s leadership — I think that’s performative,” he said.

A police report obtained by the San Francisco Standard states that Mayor Lurie directed his security team to stop their vehicle near Cedar Street.

The report said Lurie then “hopped out” of the SUV and approached several homeless individuals sitting on the sidewalk.

According to the report, the mayor asked the group to move from the area. Phillips questioned the request.

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