Former MPD detective found not guilty in prisoner abuse trial
Posted: Feb 13, 2015 7:23 PM CDT
A jury has returned a not guilty verdict in the case against a former Milwaukee detective.
The jury cleared 48-year-old Rodolfo Gomez of two charges of misconduct in office and abuse of a prisoner.
The case was connected to his interrogation of Deron Love, a Milwaukee man who was accused of killing his son in 2013.
Gomez testified in Milwaukee County court Thursday. Gomez said he had prior knowledge Love was violent from past criminal history and a threatening text message to go on a killing spree. To secure the suspect, Gomez handcuffed one of Love's arms to a wall and started a video recording.
Gomez said he tried to build a rapport with Love to get a truthful confession, but Love wasn't talking. For that reason, Gomez stated he got got blunt with his questioning, calling Love \"a cold-blooded animal.\"
Gomez told the court that's when Love started yelling, jumped up and pounded his fist on the table.
Shocked and fearful of an attack, Gomez testified he gave Love a wall stun. When that didn't subdue the suspect, Gomez said he punched him in the face with his right hand and the two struggled.
Gomez said he forgot that he handcuffed Love to the wall, but he still feared for his life. For that reason, the former detective stated his use of force was justified.
Love was found not guilty in the death of his baby. He has since filed a civil suit against Gomez.
The jury cleared 48-year-old Rodolfo Gomez of two charges of misconduct in office and abuse of a prisoner.
The case was connected to his interrogation of Deron Love, a Milwaukee man who was accused of killing his son in 2013.
Gomez testified in Milwaukee County court Thursday. Gomez said he had prior knowledge Love was violent from past criminal history and a threatening text message to go on a killing spree. To secure the suspect, Gomez handcuffed one of Love's arms to a wall and started a video recording.
Gomez said he tried to build a rapport with Love to get a truthful confession, but Love wasn't talking. For that reason, Gomez stated he got got blunt with his questioning, calling Love \"a cold-blooded animal.\"
Gomez told the court that's when Love started yelling, jumped up and pounded his fist on the table.
Shocked and fearful of an attack, Gomez testified he gave Love a wall stun. When that didn't subdue the suspect, Gomez said he punched him in the face with his right hand and the two struggled.
Gomez said he forgot that he handcuffed Love to the wall, but he still feared for his life. For that reason, the former detective stated his use of force was justified.
Love was found not guilty in the death of his baby. He has since filed a civil suit against Gomez.