NJ Police Officer Accused Of Assaulting Suspect
FREEHOLD, N.J. (AP) -- A police officer in a small Jersey shore town is accused of beating a handcuffed suspect.
A Monmouth County grand jury on Wednesday returned an 11-count indictment charging Little Silver Patrolman Steven Solari with official misconduct, obstruction of justice, hindering apprehension and aggravated assault.
The prosecutor's office says the charges stem from the arrest of a man on a disorderly persons charge in 2009.
Authorities say Solari struck the man at police headquarters several times while the suspect was handcuffed with his hands behind his back. Officials say the suspect needed medical treatment after his head struck a metal filing cabinet.
Solari is free on $81,000 bail and has been suspended without pay.
His lawyer, Robert Galantucci, says Solari is looking forward to being vindicated and they anticipate a full and fair hearing in court.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
