Two western Pa. officers indicted in beating cover up


AMBRIDGE, Pa. (AP) — Two borough police officers in western Pennsylvania have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of covering up the beating of a citizen.

The four-count indictment contains few details, but says it stems from the alleged beating of a man identified only as David Baker at the Ambridge police station on Feb. 21.

Federal prosecutors say a since-retired officer, Richard Heitzenrater, allegedly beat Baker and that another officer, Lt. Robert Kuzma, allegedly helped Heitzenrater destroy or otherwise cover up a videotape of the incident.

Ambridge police and borough officials aren’t commenting and say they weren’t aware of the charges until advised by The Associated Press.

It was not immediately clear if the officers have attorneys.