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Osage Beach Police Officer Charges Cleared
Posted: Sep 7, 2012 12:38 PM by Andrea Park
OSAGE BEACH - A federal jury cleared Osage Beach Police Officer Sam Ford on civil charges of assault, battery, and constitutional violations on Wednesday.
The jury deliberated less than two hours before finding Ford on claims that he used excessive force in breaking up a fight in 2010 between two Lake area residents, Eric Hauser and Robert Taggert, outside a local bar.
Taggert and Hauser were arguing over money when an unidentified motorist saw the confrontation and reported it to Ford who was parked nearby. Ford hand-cuffed Hauser then Hauser jerked away from him.
Hauser claimed extensive injuries caused by Ford, though Hauser was thrown to the floor inside the bar twice by patrons separating him from Taggert.
"Officer Ford handled that situation with the measured control of a true professional," said Ford's lawyer, Jefferson City attorney Michael Berry.
Officer Ford declined to comment about the trial or the events giving rise to Hauser's claim other than to say he is pleased the trial is behind him.
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