A federal jury took almost three days to deliberate and convict two East Haven cops for civil rights violations.
Dennis Spaulding and David Cari were found guilty of Conspiracy Against Civil Rights, Deprivation Of Rights for making arrests without probable cause, and Obstruction Of Justice for writing a false police report.
Spaulding was also convicted on a charge of Unreasonable Force.
Federal authorities who investigated allegations of racial profiling and police brutality against the Latino community in East Haven actually labeled the defendants “racial bullies.”
Their attorneys plan to appeal.
“There is no police brutality, there’s no racial profiling, they were doing the job that they swore to do, and that they did, that’s what makes this verdict so disappointing,” Frank Riccio, Spaulding’s Attorney, said.
Sentencing is set for January 21; Spaulding and Cari face up to 20 years in prison.