Former Pittsburgh officer sentenced in beating outside Heinz Field

PITTSBURGH — Former Pittsburgh police officer Stephen Matakovich testified he followed his training and instincts when he was caught on surveillance video beating a teenager at Heinz Field.

Matakovich said Wednesday he could have misperceived Gabriel Depres' actions in November 2015; he has previously said he thought Depres, then 19, was going to attack him.

"If that's the case,” he said, “then I'm sorry about that."

That apology and plea for leniency didn't sway Judge Cathy Bissoon as she sentenced him to 27 months in prison.

The victim's mother said her son was wrong to drink alcohol but didn't deserve to be beaten.

“We try to teach our kids to respect police officers and then this happens,” said Sherry Depres. “And it's just a blemish on the Pittsburgh police, on all police.”

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Several friends and co-workers of Matakovich cited his military and police service and urged the judge not to send him to jail.

Former officer Bill Mathias testified how Matakovich handcuffed a suicidal man to keep him from jumping in a river. After the hearing, he said he was disappointed in the sentence.

But Bissoon said his service does not excuse his conduct in this case.

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The acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania says the case impacts all law enforcement officers.

“We recognize how dangerous policing is, and we recognize that men and women who work very hard need the trust and cooperation of the public, and when there is misconduct, criminal misconduct or unconstitutional action like this, it makes all of the men and women in law enforcement less safe,” said Soo Song.

Cox Media Group