Court rules two Rochester police officers used excessive force during 2015 arrest
By: A federal court has ruled that two Rochester police officers used excessive force during an encounter nearly 10 years ago.
This involves a lawsuit filed by David Vann regarding an incident outside a store on South Avenue in 2015, when he allegedly wanted to buy beer without an ID.
The store owner says Vann became angry and was then locked out, but later returned through the front door.
Police were called, and Vann claims several officers, including Matthew Drake and Steven Mitchell, went too far during his arrest, punching him several times and throwing him to the ground.
Vann was originally accused with resisting his arrest and injuring two officers during the incident, but he was acquitted of all charges against him, according to court paperwork.
The court agreed, but denied Vann's motion for a summary judgement in all other respects, including claims of excessive force used by three other officers at the scene, according to court paperwork.