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Assault Charges Against State Trooper Dismissed

Assault Charges Against State Trooper Dismissed - Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 5:11PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Thursday, Dec 10, 2009 @ 05:11pm EST
MOUNTAINHOME, MONROE COUNTY - Assault charges against a Pennsylvania State Police trooper from the Poconos have been dismissed. Trooper Mark Shutkufski was charged with punching a man he pulled over during a traffic stop last year.

At a court hearing Thursday morning, the victim took the stand. He said Trooper Shutkufski punched, elbowed and even threatened him with a taser during the incident. The trooper's attorney raised doubts, painting the victim as someone who didn't listen to instructions and made threatening moves.

Trooper Shutkufski did not comment as he left the judge's office, but his attorney said he is happy with the decision.

When asked if he thought the charges were overzealous, defense attorney James Swetz said, "On the prosecution and the internal affairs division of the Pennsylvania State Police -- yes -- whoever was behind the filing of criminal charges has dishonored the men in blue and the Pennsylvania State Police."

The victim, Brian McCasland, also left court without commenting on the decision. He grabbed our camera as he left the courtroom.

The incident happened in 2008 on Route 191 in Paradise Township, Monroe County. Timothy Berger witnessed the traffic stop and only heard the men yelling.

"I saw the officer wrestling with the driver," Berger said. "I didn't see him struck."

In court, Berger described the victim as an "out of control" motorist and said the two men were arguing over a cell phone.

The traffic stop was caught on the trooper's dashboard camera. It was played in court Thursday afternoon but did not specifically show the assault.

The victim, Brian McCasland, has filed a civil lawsuit against the trooper. Trooper Shutkufski has been suspended without pay while the incident is still under investigation.
 


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