NEW YORK, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Three New York police officers accused in the subway beating of a suspect were acquitted Monday of sexual abuse, assault and trying to cover up the attack.
A Brooklyn jury deliberated a full day before acquitting officers Richard Kern, Alex Cruz and Andrew Morales.
Kern was cleared of a charge of using a baton to sodomize Michael Mineo, 25, who Kern and other officers saw smoking marijuana in a subway station. Cruz and Morales were accused of attempting to help Kern cover up the incident.
"It's not over," The New York Times quoted Mineo as saying after the verdict. "I ain't even surprised. I kind of had a feeling it would turn out this way. If you want to commit a murder, join the NYPD (New York Police Department) and you get cleared off."
Mineo has filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against the city. Federal prosecutors also are considering charges.
