by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
James Mandarino, an officer with the Streamwood Police Force in Illinois, was convicted this week by a judge who watched his videotaped beating of a motorist. He was found guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct.
"Any rational analysis (of the video) will show that the conduct of the defendant was wrong, just plain wrong, unprovoked, unnecessary and unacceptable," said Cook County Circuit Judge Thomas Fecarotta Jr.
In the video, Mandarino is seen hitting Ronald Bell several times with a metal baton. He'd followed Bell to the home of his brother, where he asked him to get out of the car. During the 15 strikes of the baton to Bell's face and body, it appears that he is trying to cooperate with the officer and he is also unarmed.
