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Former North Adams Officer Arraigned on Assault ChargesStaff reports
iBerkshires
04:16PM / Thursday, March 19, 2009
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A former North Adams police officer who allegedly used excessive force against a suspect was arraigned on assault charges in Berkshire Superior Court on Thursday.
Joshua A. Mantello, 30, of Liberty Street, North Adams, had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf on two counts of assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon, one county of assault and battery, one count of misleading a police officer and one count of filing a false report by a public officer.
Boston attorney Thomas Drechsler represented him at the arraignment.
Mantello, a seven-year veteran of the force, was indicted by a Berkshire grand jury on March 3 after an investigation by North Adams police and state police detectives assigned to the Berkshire district attorney's office.
He had been on suspension from the force since Dec. 10, 2008. North Adams Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco on Thursday said only that Mantello "is no longer employed with city." He declined to give further details.
Mantello allegedly used excessive force during the arrest of Matthew D. Trombley, 28, of Dover Street, North Adams, on Nov. 28, 2008. According to published reports, Trombley, who was allegedly intoxicated and combative, was pushed up against a wall and then to the ground. Mantello's report said he was tasered in the abdomen at the police lockup when he continued acting out, according to media reports.
Prosecuters say Mantello filed a false report about the incident.
Trombley was charged with assault, vandalism and disorderly conduct charges. The assualt and disorderly charges were later dropped but Trombley was arrested in December on assault charges relating to an incident with his girlfriend and jailed.
Judge John A. Agostini released Mantello on personal recognizance Thursday on the condition that he have no contact with the alleged victim. |
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iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary. Comments are closed for this article. If you would like to contribute information on this article, e-mail us at info@iBerkshires.com |
| bad cops should no be cops...but if you talk to any cops they are all dirty somehow, josh just got caught....remember he has kids old enough to understand what is going on....be nice to them they are innocent | | from: a parent | on: 03-19-2009 12:00AM
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| ITS PRETTY BAD WHEN THE ONES YOUR SUPPOSE TO TRUST TO PERTCT AND SERVE TURN OUT TO LET THERE BADGES GO TO THERE HEAD WHAT A JOKE!! | | from: north adams man | on: 03-19-2009 12:00AM
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| I don't know this officer, and everything alleged about him may be true for all I know, but... what the heck ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Seems like you two posters have pretty much already made up your minds without any facts to base them on... Comrades. | | from: hrh | on: 03-20-2009 12:00AM
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To suggest “all cops” are bad is an unintelligent thoughtless statement. It is no different then saying “all parents” are “dirty”
| | from: “a parent” needs an education | on: 03-20-2009 12:00AM
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