NYC Police Brutality sodomy trial verdict: Jury finds all cops not guilty on all counts
By Scott Shifrel and Corky Siemaszko
Daily News Staff Writers
Originally Published:Monday, February 22nd 2010, 10:54 AM
Updated: Monday, February 22nd 2010, 11:32 AM
A cop accused of sodomizing a Brooklyn man with a police baton rejoiced Monday after he was found not guilty on all counts. "I feel good it's finally behind me," Officer Richard Kern said after the verdict was read. "I'll finally get a good night's sleep."
Two other officers, Alex Cruz and Andrew Morales, were also found not guilty of charges they covered up the assault. Meanwhile, a stunned and disgusted Michael Mineo, whose police brutality claims led to the charges against the cops, said, "I don't believe it."
"This has been a travesty of justice," his lawyer, Stephen Jackson, added.
Kern, who was charged with aggravated sexual assault, faced 25 years in prison.
Mineo claimed he was brutalized after cops nabbed him for smoking pot on the Prospect Park subway platform in October 2008.
The verdict came after Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Alan Marrus dismissed a juror who told other jurors she'd heard that Kern had been convicted of police brutality before.
Kern had been accused of excessive force in a 2007 civil suit, but the city settled with two men out of court for $50,000.
By Scott Shifrel and Corky Siemaszko
Daily News Staff Writers
Originally Published:Monday, February 22nd 2010, 10:54 AM
Updated: Monday, February 22nd 2010, 11:32 AM
A cop accused of sodomizing a Brooklyn man with a police baton rejoiced Monday after he was found not guilty on all counts. "I feel good it's finally behind me," Officer Richard Kern said after the verdict was read. "I'll finally get a good night's sleep."
Two other officers, Alex Cruz and Andrew Morales, were also found not guilty of charges they covered up the assault. Meanwhile, a stunned and disgusted Michael Mineo, whose police brutality claims led to the charges against the cops, said, "I don't believe it."
"This has been a travesty of justice," his lawyer, Stephen Jackson, added.
Kern, who was charged with aggravated sexual assault, faced 25 years in prison.
Mineo claimed he was brutalized after cops nabbed him for smoking pot on the Prospect Park subway platform in October 2008.
The verdict came after Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Alan Marrus dismissed a juror who told other jurors she'd heard that Kern had been convicted of police brutality before.
Kern had been accused of excessive force in a 2007 civil suit, but the city settled with two men out of court for $50,000.
March is Police Brutality Appreciation Month
ReplyDeleteLet the police know you appreciate their hard work by honking loudly, whenever you drive by a police station or police man on the side of the road. The police like knowing the public is aware of them.
They especially like it when they don't know who is honking at them; it becomes a fun guessing game! Try to honk only when you're in a group of cars, or when you've just passed around a corner.