Police brutality matters

The cops have a tough job, both boring and dangerous. However, they have to police themselves, too. Too many cops overreact and escalate situations. Too many citizens have been injured or killed by the police. Clean house. Get rid of the thugs in blue.

Albuquerque Journal | Appeals court rules arrest of ABQ family was illegal

By Scott Sandlin / Journal Staff Writer
Monday, November 2nd, 2015 at 12:05am

Copyright © 2015 Albuquerque Journal

Elementary school principal Stephen Maresca was heading home from hiking in the Sandias with his wife, three children and their dog when the family was arrested by armed deputies after a rookie Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office deputy typed in a wrong license plate number.

Stephen Maresca, center, is shown in this photo with his wife, Heather, and their children. At the time of a March 2013 arrest, he was serving as principal of the Arroyo del Oso Elementary School in Albuquerque. He died unexpectedly from a heart attack earlier this year at the age of 53. (Courtesy of Heather Maresca)

Stephen Maresca, center, is shown in this photo with his wife, Heather, and their children. At the time of a March 2013 arrest, he was serving as principal of the Arroyo del Oso Elementary School in Albuquerque. He died unexpectedly from a heart attack earlier this year at the age of 53. (Courtesy of Heather Maresca)

Responding officers had the couple and their children exit the truck, walk backward with their hands up and lie face-down on the pavement. The officers aimed firearms at the parents and children, including two boys ages 17 and 14 and a 9-year-old girl, according to a summary of evidence in an opinion by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

The court ruled last month that the arrest was illegal – reversing an earlier decision that gave the arresting officer, Deputy J. Fuentes, immunity.

The county is now on the hook for that 2013 arrest by Fuentes.

Albuquerque Journal | Appeals court rules arrest of ABQ family was illegal

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