Michael Mineo, the Brooklyn man who has accused four police officers of beating and sodomizing him on a subway platform, got a boost Thursday when another officer testified he saw one of the accused cops use a baton near Mineo's buttocks, according to two sources briefed on the investigation.
Officer Kevin Maloney told the investigative grand jury that he saw Officer Richard Kern unfold his collapsible baton and place it near Mineo's buttocks. Mineo, the sources said, screamed out that Kern was sodomizing him, though Maloney did not realize the importance of what had happened until the alleged Oct. 15 incident was revealed a week later.
The grand jury could take another two weeks or so before making a decision about whether to bring charges against anyone in the case.
But the testimony of Maloney, a two-year veteran who is assigned to the Transit Bureau and lives on Long Island, is considered damaging to the four officers under investigation.
Mineo's lawyers have said Mineo suffered injuries consistent with anal assault. Mineo, 24, a body-piercer at a tattoo parlor, had previously identified another cop, Officer Alex Cruz, as his attacker.
Kern, Cruz, Officer Noel Jugraj and Officer Andrew Morales were involved in the chase and apprehension of Mineo inside the Prospect Park station. Mineo, police said, had been approached outside the station because he was smoking marijuana. He fled into the station, police said, and was given a summons for disorderly conduct after eating the marijuana cigarette.
Police had previously said two civilian witnesses did not see Mineo violated, but he has stuck to his story. Mineo also testified Thursday before the grand jury.
More Information: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hlRDN-VqhU6-AanJt9KaqgB7ASrg
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