Former MA Police Officer Sentenced to 18 Months for Pummeling Motorist

A former Springfield Massachusetts police officer has been ordered by a judge to serve 18 months in jail for pummeling a man on the face with a flashlight after a traffic stop.  WAMC's Paul Tuthill reports…

Judge Maureen Walsh, said Jeffrey Asher had failed to uphold his oath to protect and serve all when in November, 2009, he assaulted Melvin Jones III, who sustained numerous broken bones and was left partially blind in one eye.

The sentence for  which includes two years probation after Asher is released from jail, and therapy for anger management, adhered to what was urged by the office of Hampden District Attorney Mark Mastrionni…

“The fact that there at least didn’t seem to be an outward acceptance of responsibility was noted by the district attorney’s office, and I think obviously it was taken into account by the sentencing judge as well.”   

Asher was convicted by a jury of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. The jury saw a video of the assault that had been recorded by a passerby. Asher claimed self-defense, insisting Jones was trying to grab another officer’s gun.

Paul Tuthill, WAMC News.