MINNEAPOLIS — The attorney for a former Minneapolis police officer accused of kicking a man in the face said his client’s use of force was legally justified.

Thirty-six-year-old Christopher Michael Reiter made his first court appearance Thursday on a felony charge of third-degree assault.

Authorities said Reiter was responding to a domestic assault call last May when he allegedly kicked the man, who was on his hands and knees. The man suffered a broken nose and a traumatic brain injury.

In a statement, defense attorney Robert Fowler said Reiter intends to dispute the allegations and maintains he was legally justified.

According to a press release, Reiter was booked into jail and released without posting bail under an agreement with an assistant Hennepin County attorney.