Little Silver cop Steven Solari gets five years for punching handcuffed man in t

[Silent_Bob]

http://www.app.com/article/20140306/NJNEWS14/303060068/Little-Silver-cop

FREEHOLD — Supporters of Steven Solari on Thursday portrayed the 15-year veteran of the Little Silver police force as a trusted friend, a model officer and a dedicated community volunteer.

But that did not sway state Superior Court Judge Francis J. Vernoia, who sentenced the 40-year-old officer to five years in state prison. The judge said he found the nature of the misconduct that Solari was convicted of last year — beating a handcuffed prisoner and then lying about it — outweighed what good he did during what was portrayed as a spotless life.

Vernoia said Solari's crimes reflected a propensity toward violence and dishonesty. He rejected defense attorney Edward C. Bertucio's argument that the defendant should be given special consideration to escape a prison term because of his clean record, years of public service and volunteerism, and the hardship a prison term would pose to Solari and Solari's 84-year-old mother.

Instead, Vernoia imposed a mandatory term of five years in state prison without the possibility of parole for official misconduct, saying that the sentence was harsh, but correct.

"Police officers must know they cannot assault defenseless individuals in their custody for no reason," Vernoia said.

Vernoia also ordered that Solari, a member of the Little Silver police force since 1999, forfeit his $91,000-a-year job and his pension, and be barred permanently from future public employment.

Bertucio said afterward that his law firm, Hobbie, Corrigan and Bertucio, plans to appeal Solari's conviction and sentence.

"He maintains his innocence, and our firm supports that 100 percent,'' Bertucio said.

Solari declined to address the judge before the sentence was imposed.

The officer's conviction stems from a series of acts that took place when he was sent to a residence on Dec. 29, 2009, to check on the welfare of Sean Casey.

[Free libertarian]

maybe the handcuffed guy took an aggressive stance?

[MaineShark]

"Police officers must know they cannot assault defenseless individuals in their custody for no reason," Vernoia said.

But they can assault defenseless individuals in their custody, if they have a reason?