BAYONNE — A Hudson County jury awarded $91,167 last week to Kristie LaScala in the second part of a civil lawsuit alleging that six Bayonne police officers had falsely arrested her during a St. Patrick’s Day Parade brawl in a local bar in 2007.
But the jury also concluded that only one of the six officers had allegedly used excessive force.
The incident evolved out an alleged dispute between LaScala and a bar employee, in which her finance, Edward Sapontzis – who was also a plaintiff in the suit – came to her aid when police officers allegedly knocked him to the ground, causing injuries to his face. The suit claimed that the officers also injured LaScala, including a broken arm.
The court, prior to the verdict, dismissed all charges against the city of Bayonne and the Bayonne Police Department. But city officials said the city would assist in the appeal for the one officer, William Peterson, who the jury ruled had used excessive force.