A suburban Chicago police officer caught on dashcam hitting a motorist 15 times with his metal baton and firing a stun gun at the man’s passenger has been charged with felony aggravated battery and official misconduct, and more charges are possible, prosecutors say.
Neither man attacked or threatened Streamwood Police Officer James Mandarino during the early morning traffic stop last month, Cook County, Ill. prosecutors say.
In fact, the video taken from the officer’s dashboard camera suggests that both the driver, Ronald Bell, 28, and the passenger did exactly as they were told.
“This conduct as displayed on the video by this officer is not only disturbing, it’s outrageous and is unacceptable,” Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said during a news conference.
“Every law enforcement officer holds his or her powers through the public trust and this officer’s senseless act of rage against an unarmed citizen constitutes and offensive violation of that trust.”
Mandarino, 41, a 15-year police veteran, was charged with felony aggravated battery and official misconduct.
If convicted, he could face up to 5 years in prison on each count.
Mandarino did not enter a plea during a brief hearing. The judge set his bond at $50,000.
MORE
No comments:
Post a Comment