Updated 07/30/2010 07:59 PM
Police Discipline Hearing Resumes
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The city wrapped up its case in the discipline hearing against four Rochester police officers accused in a so-called gay bashing incident.
Officers David MacFall, Stephen Tortora, Stephen Ward, and Michael Yodice are accused of misconduct for allegedly using gay slurs toward a group of people in the early morning hours of June 1, 2007.
Joshua Lieberman, the city's final witness, testified that the four officers used physical force and homosexual slurs against him, and a group of friends, after the group was harassed and physically abused by four others as they walked along South Goodman Street. The officers deny doing anything wrong.
"It's more of the same; testimony concerning altercations in the street, people drunk, people yelling. It's in a residential area, and the police were dispatched, and I think clearly acted appropriately," said Larry Andolina, the officers’ attorney.
Bill Bauer, the attorney representing the city, said he would not comment until the hearing concluded.
The accused officers will begin their defense August 9. Andolina said all four will testify.