BENTONVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a jury convicted him of first-degree battery for beating a Fayetteville police officer with her own baton.
The jury deliberated 20 minutes Tuesday before convicting Hiram Graham on the battery charge. They deliberated another 20 minutes before recommending the 25-year sentence, which was approved by a judge.
The Northwest Arkansas Times reports the attack happened at an IHOP in February 2011. Officers were called to the restaurant on a report of a drunken and disorderly man after Graham vomited under a table.
Authorities say Graham resisted arrest and struck an officer repeatedly with her baton.
Prosecutors initially charged Graham with attempted capital murder, but a judge declared a mistrial in October after jurors couldn't agree on a verdict.
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