BALTIMORE (AP) — A Baltimore County police officer is accused of using excessive force when he pepper sprayed a handcuffed man in the face and closed him inside a hot patrol car, even as the man repeatedly said he couldn’t breathe. A 19-year veteran of the Baltimore County Police Department, Small previously served in the Military Police, according to his attorney. “Like all citizens, Officer Small is entitled to the presumption of innocence,” attorney Brian Thompson said in an email. Small tried to slam the car door, but the man’s knee was in the way. It says the man started gasping, choking and calling for help while kicking the car door to get officers’ attention.

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