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Jury seated in trial alleging Youngstown police attack
YOUNGSTOWN
A jury of eight men and women have been seated to rule on a criminal case centered on a traffic stop with two different versions of events from police and the women stopped.
Desiree Johnson, 45, of West Princeton Avenue, and Doretha Weston, 35, of Miller Avenue were pulled over for a traffic stop by Lt. Kevin Mercer and Officer Patrick Mulligan in the 1700 block of Overland Avenue last year. Those are the only facts the officers and two women can agree on.
Johnson and Weston say the two officers attacked and beat them during the traffic stop. Johnson said she attempted to call for help during the attack, but had the cellphone ripped from her hand and still was beaten by the officers.
The women contend the alleged attack by the officers was retaliation stemming from internal affairs complaint filed by Johnson over a matter involving the same two officers and her son two years earlier.
In July 2011, Johnson filed suit in court against Mercer and Mulligan for their purported actions in the July 10, 2009, incident involving her 12-year-old son. The boy had been reportedly stopped at gunpoint and questioned by the officers during an investigation on the South Side. Johnson said the encounter left her son shaken and traumatized.
Mercer and Mulligan contend the traffic stop and their actions during that stop have nothing to do with the prior incident. Mulligan testified in court Thursday he did not even remember Johnson from the previous situation.
The officers claim both women refused to show officers a driver’s license or get out of the car when ordered during the traffic stop.
Mercer reported he pulled Weston from the car and took her to the ground after a short scuffle. He reported that Johnson then claimed Mercer was assaulting Weston and dialed 911 from her cellphone. She reportedly refused to hang up the phone and leave the car.
The officers said a series of blows were thrown during the confrontation.
Johnson and Weston likely will take the stand today and detail their version of what took place during the traffic stop. The case is being heard by Judge Robert Milich of Youngstown Municipal Court.
Weston is charged with resisting arrest and driving under license suspension. Johnson is charged with two counts of assault. All charges are misdemeanors.