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Split verdict in case of former officer Stephen Matakovich

PITTSBURGH — A jury has issued a mixed verdict in the federal trial of a fired Pittsburgh police sergeant charged with wrongly beating a drunken man and then lying about it in a police report.

The jury convicted former Sgt. Stephen Matakovich of depriving the man, Gabriel Depres, of his civil rights by twice pushing and then punching him. Matakovich was acquitted of filing a false report that portrayed the man as the aggressor.

The confrontation took place just outside Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, during a high school championship football game in 2015.

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Channel 11 reached out to the mayor’s office and Fraternal Order of Police, with no response, after the verdict came down late Friday evening.

"I was relieved,” said Beth Pittinger, executive diredctor of the Independent Citizens Police Review Board for the City of Pittsburgh. “I felt that the public's trust in police was restored."

She believes the jury's decision was the right one and says Matakovich's actions were uncalled for.

"I think it's pretty evident that the jury, anyway, wasn't going to tolerate that type of behavior from a police officer,” Pittinger said.

Pittinger says the court proceedings may have been lengthy, but the verdict appeared clear before the trial ever started.

"The video spoke for itself. The question about all the facts was not that big of a deal for the rest of us."

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Channel 11 reached out to both Matakovich and Despres, but they did not return our calls.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15.

Matakovich is facing up to 10 years behind bars.

Here are five things to know about the case:

1. Matakovich was charged in federal court with a civil rights violation over his handling of a fan at Heinz Field in November 2015. Surveillance video shows Matakovich shove and then punch the victim multiple times. He claimed the force was justified because the victim clenched a fist and took an aggressive stance. At a preliminary hearing, an expert on use of force by police refuted that claim.

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2. Matakovich's case was initially dismissed after charges of simple assault and falsifying a police report were filed by Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala. The charges were refiled in April 2016 and rolled into a federal case after an indictment.

3. Matakovich was fired by then-Pittsburgh Police Chief Cameron McLay in February 2016.

4. Matakovich could receive up to 30 years in federal prison for the crime. Although experts say it’s unlikely to be anywhere near that if he’s found guilty.

5. A federal judge barred uniformed officers from the courtroom after prosecutors raised concerns that they could influence the jury.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group

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