WARREN Man started the fighting during arrest, officer says

An officer said he witnessed the defendant going to a drug house.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Testimony is expected to continue today in the trial of a city man who alleges he was beaten by police officers after being stopped for running a stop sign.
Clarence Clay is facing charges of going through a stop sign and resisting arrest. His trial began Monday in the courtroom of municipal Judge Thomas Gysegem.
Clay has also filed a federal lawsuit stating that police officers beat him and illegally strip-searched him. Police have denied the allegations.
Patrol Officer Joseph Kistler testified Monday that officers witnessed Clay stop at a house on Homewood Avenue known to be a place were illegal drugs are sold.
Kistler said Clay was at the house for about three minutes. When Clay left the house, Kistler and his partner, Ed Hetmanski, followed.
Stopped his car
Kistler said Clay went through a stop sign and officers stopped the car. It was Clay, not the officers, who became combative, Kistler said.
He added that crumbs of what he believed to be crack cocaine were visible on Clay's lips. Clay was not arrested on drug charges.
The videotape of the arrest, which was filmed by a camera mounted to the cruiser, shows Clay struggling with the officers. Clay can also be heard denying that he has any illegal drugs.
Atty. Richard Olivito said his client did not have illegal drugs and went to the house on Homewood to fix a television.
It is not known if Clay will take the stand during the trial.
sinkovich@vindy.com