Trial Continues For Ex-Streamwood Cop Accused Of Brutality
ROLLING MEADOWS (CBS) -- An ex-Streamwood police officer accused of brutally beating a motorist last year is expected to testify early next week.
Former cop James Mandarino is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct. Central to his bench trial that began this week is 11 seconds of dashboard-camera video. In the video, Mandarino is seen pummeling Ronald Bell with his metal baton after a traffic stop. Mandarino was later fired.
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One of his former bosses testified in court Thursday that the corporal's conduct on the tape was unacceptable and that his use of the baton was unnecessary.
Streamwood Deputy Police Chief James Keegan also said it was not proper for Mandarino to aim his gun at Bell earlier in the traffic stop.
Bell, who was hospitalized after the beating, already took the stand. Mandarino's defense attorneys say Bell was beaten because he would not obey orders. They say he was drunk and combative and was only brought under control with the use of physical force.
Mandarino will take the stand in his own defense when the trial resumes Monday, one of his attorneys told CBS 2's Mike Puccinelli.
