Marine charged with beating police officer

Marine charged with beating police officer
Officials say soldier hit cop with latter's baton
By Kelly Pakula, STAFF WRITER
Article Last Updated:10/13/2006 02:43:47 AM PDT

REDWOOD CITY — A U.S. Marine formerly stationed in Japan was arraigned Thursday on charges he beat up a San Francisco police officer with a baton at the San Francisco International Airport.

Yodi Shembo, 24, is charged with one felony count of assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon and two misdemeanor counts of battery. He was arrested Wednesday after he began acting strangely at the airport, yelling at passengers and demanding someone give him a pen, San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Other Marines at the airport reportedly attempted to calm Shembo. In response, he allegedly head-butted one of them and pushed the other away, Wagstaffe said.

A San Francisco police officer in the area reportedly offered Shembo a pen, which he declined. Shembo then allegedly punched the officer and knocked him to the ground.

According to Wagstaffe, the officer hit Shembo with his baton, but Shembo grabbed the baton from the officer and began hitting him with it in front of several onlookers.

The officer reportedly sustained cuts, bruises and a nasal fracture in the beating.

According to Wagstaffe, Shembo's case was continued to Oct. 18, at which time two court-appointed doctors will be assigned to do a mental health evaluation of Shembo.

Staff writer Kelly Pakula can be reached at (650) 306-2425 or by e-mail at kpakula@sanmateocountytimes.com.

Ellie