Sorry if this is repost
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2007/03/court_officer_acquitted_of_ass.html
I know the kid Kevin that was brought to court, and he is not the brightest kid on earth, believe me. but i dont think the officer needed to flash his firearm
http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2007/03/court_officer_acquitted_of_ass.html
By LORI STABILE
[email protected]
PALMER - Glendon D. Barrow, a top Springfield court officer, smiled and said he felt "awesome" after a jury found him innocent in district court today of charges including assault with a dangerous weapon, stemming from what a prosecutor described as a road rage incident in August.
Barrow, 52, who has been on unpaid leave from his job as the assistant chief court officer for the Massachusetts Trial Courts in Springfield, said he is looking forward to returning to work. He has been on leave since shortly after the Aug. 20 Springfield incident, and is usually assigned to juvenile court.
The jury found Barrow innocent of assault with a dangerous weapon (handgun), assault and battery, and larceny under $250. The two-day trial was held before Worcester Judge David Ricciardone, who was specially assigned to the case.
"I think justice was done," said Barrow's lawyer Mickey E. Harris, adding that the incident was blown out of proportion.
Barrow was riding in his son's Ford Taurus when a Mazda pick-up truck operated by Kevin T. Craven, 17, of Ludlow passed them on the right and drenched Barrow.
Barrow's son Karris pursued Craven up Parker Street, onto Stocker Street and Boston Road, where the Barrow car got in front of Craven's truck. There, Barrow flashed his badge and showed his gun, but didn't pull his gun on Craven, Harris said. Barrow asked Craven what he wanted to do, call his parents or the police.
"I will concede, and you heard it, he was upset. He had just been drenched, but he was restrained," Harris said. "Why would Mr. Barrow care if Mr. Craven called his parents or not? Because he has a teenage son himself."
When Barrow addressed the court, he said Craven bumped his son's car twice as he was passing them, splashing him with sand and rocks. Craven ran to a Mobil station. Barrow followed, and said he told him that Craven should be glad "it was me and not someone else" because "elements on the streets that would have put some bullets in him." Barrow said he showed the gun again in the store to illustrate it is a deadly weapon, saying he never touched Craven.
Harris said Barrow removed a bag of video games from Craven's truck for "safekeeping" and had no intention of stealing them.
Assistant District Attorney Marie A. Angers said the case was about road rage, and called Barrow's actions "unreasonable, unnecessary and against the law."
Angers argued Barrow did not have the right to stop Craven's vehicle, yell at him, and pull out a gun and badge.
"Court was not in session. He was an average citizen, just like everyone else, who took matters into his own hands," Angers said.
I know the kid Kevin that was brought to court, and he is not the brightest kid on earth, believe me. but i dont think the officer needed to flash his firearm