NBC 10 I-Team: RI State Police fire trooper shown in video beating suspect

The NBC 10 I-Team has learned a veteran trooper with the Rhode Island State Police, seen on video punching a suspect in a holding cell, has been removed from duty.

Trooper Jamie Donnelly-Taylor confirmed with the I-Team that he received word from state police on Friday.

In a statement to NBC 10, Col. James Manni said Donnelly-Taylor was removed "for non-disciplinary reasons." The statement continues, "Because this involves a personnel matter, I have no further comment."

The 17-year veteran and has been out on medical leave for nearly three years. He recently appeared before a hearing at State Police headquarters, according to those familiar with the case. The I-Team has learned Donnelly-Taylor was also recently denied a disability pension.

In video from 2014, Donnelly-Taylor is seen walking suspect Lionel Monsanto into a cell at the Lincoln barracks. The trooper is then seen throwing more than a half dozen punches at Monsanto, who then fell to the floor. Just minutes before, the two men are in a booking room.

Monsanto was argumentative after the traffic stop, and called the trooper "racist" before their walk down to the cell block.

When the video was released in July, Col. James Manni called it "disturbing,” adding "this behavior is not condoned by the men and women of the Rhode Island State Police and doesn't reflect on the standards of training we have."

Donnelly-Taylor's attorney argued that Monsanto first struck the trooper with his elbow, before the use of force and pointed to a report from an expert in the law enforcement field, which also supported the trooper's claim.

The tape has been part of an ongoing legal battle between the trooper, the state police, and the attorney general's office. Years ago, Donnelly-Taylor was first indicted by a grand jury and pleaded no contest to simple assault, but said he did so because then-Col. Steven O'Donnell assured him the plea would prevent the video from becoming public, according to court records. Then-Attorney General Peter Kilmartin decided not to represent Donnelly.

The trooper sued state police, O'Donnell, and the attorney general, but the case was dismissed in May. Monsanto sued Donnelly-Taylor, civilly. The state reached a $125,000 settlement with Monsanto last year, with the trooper contributing $15,000, said state police.

In November, Donnelly-Taylor asked the court to vacate his plea, saying he was coerced by O'Donnell, essentially asking for a trial to clear his name. O’Donnell has called the trooper's claims about ordering him to take a plea "ludicrous." The retired colonel said paperwork submitted by Donnelly-Taylor was inconsistent with what was captured on video.