Man Seen Beaten by New Orleans Police Speaks Out

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 10, 2005 — -- As if the flood-ravaged city did not have enough problems, officials are now dealing with a police brutality scandal.

An incriminating videotape -- which surfaced over the weekend and has since been broadcast around the world -- shows a young, white New Orleans police officer repeatedly punching 64-year-old Robert Davis, who is black, in the head.

Police say a publicly intoxicated Davis was resisting arrest.

The retired elementary school teacher says he does not drink, and was just out looking for cigarettes. Today, Davis has several stitches in his face and a possible skull fracture.

The incident started, he says, when he asked a police officer on horseback about the city curfew, and was interrupted by the younger officer.

"At no time did anybody indicate that I was under arrest," Davis said.

From there, he says, he remembers very little.

"One person kicked me in the face," he said, "I remember that."

The New Orleans police force is clearly under a great deal of stress. More than 200 officers abandoned the department during the hurricanes, and almost all of those who remained lost their homes.

Some lost loved ones, and others even committed suicide.

Acting police chief Warren Riley, who replaced the chief who resigned last month, says his officers are over-stressed. The incident, he says, gives his entire force a black eye.

"We certainly don't have a disruptive or dysfunctional or a corrupt police department," Riley said, "but we do have some pockets of problems that have to be addressed."

But Davis says his treatment was inexcusable. He lost two homes, and says he was stressed as well.

"This particular incident, I don't ... I don't want to say this, but it was probably racially motivated," Davis said.

The three New Orleans officers involved in the incident were arrested and pleaded not guilty to charges of simple battery today. They were suspended without pay.

Late today, the FBI announced that it also had agents at the scene who face possible civil rights violations.

ABC News' Steve Osunsami filed this report for "World News Tonight."