Trial Begins in East Palo Alto Police Beat Down of Unarmed Black Man

Opening statements in the trial of two East Palo Alto police officers accused of beating an East Palo Alto man in 2004 are expected in San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Carl Holm's courtroom Monday. Officers Edward Rivers Jr., 39, and Johnny Taflinger Jr., 33,along with a police explorer, are charged with assault on a citizen under color of authority, assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury, and misdemeanor battery. The defendants were indicted by a San Mateo County criminal grand jury in Feb. 2005 following an investigation by the San Mateo County District Attorney's office. The men allegedly beat the victim, Calvin Brooks, on Aug. 21, 2004. The suspects were off duty in East Palo Alto when they assaulted Brooks, whom they believed to be a local drug dealer, according to the district attorney's office. The men reportedly identified themselves as police officers, but the victim did not believe them and did not report the alleged crime. East Palo Alto Police Officer David Carson later informed the district attorney's office about the assault. According to San Mateo County Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, prior to the alleged assault the officers attended a celebratory party where alcohol had been served.  [more]