Man convicted of knocking out S.F. police officer SAN FRANCISCO

A man has been convicted of an attack in which he punched an off-duty San Francisco police officer, knocking her unconscious, authorities said.

Alfred Pitman, 55, faces 25 years to life in prison after a Superior Court jury convicted him of assault, battery and an enhancement of being a previously convicted felon, said Seth Steward, a spokesman for San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón.

The case stemmed from an incident Nov. 28 in which Pitman asked the off-duty officer for money near Sutter and Powell streets. When the officer identified herself and told Pitman he was being too aggressive, he threw a cup of coffee on her, Steward said.

When the officer tried to arrest Pitman, he punched her twice in the face, knocking her out, Steward said. He was soon arrested.

The jury returned guilty verdicts in most of the charges Friday and in the enhancement Monday. Pitman's previous convictions were for rape and assault with a firearm.