2 Springfield Officers Acquitted Of Brutality

Two Springfield police officers have been acquitted by a federal jury of brutality charges.

The jury on Monday cleared the officers of eight counts each, including using excessive force, false arrest, and depriving the person who brought the suit of his civil rights.

In a separate verdict, the jury found the city was not liable for the officers' conduct.

The lawsuit was brought by Tomas Caraballo of Holyoke. He alleged in the suit that patrolmen Ahmad Shariff and Erwin Greene assaulted him at a New Year's Eve party at a Springfield home in 2006 after he objected to their treatment of another guest.

A lawyer for the officers tells The Republican they were pleased with the verdict especially since many of the witnesses were friends of Caraballo.