WILKES-BARRE -- The last of the witnesses to testify on behalf of the man suing the state police in Bradford County over alleged brutality described how severe the plaintiff was beaten and how his injuries may linger for a long time.
That doctor said Robert Leone has posttraumatic stress syndrome and says that Leone would make a bad witness. So the man who claims he was beaten by state police officers in Bradford County did not testify in his lawsuit.
Robert Leone looks physically recovered from injuries received during his 2010 arrest by state police officers in Bradford County.
Leone`s lawyers rested their case with testimony from a Pittsburgh neuropsychologist who helped draft concussion guidelines for professional football and hockey teams.
Dr. Mark Lovell examined Leone last year and said Leone suffers migraine headaches, memory loss, and “can no longer hold down a job or live independently.”
The doctor added, “He will need significant support and supervision going forward.”
Former Luzerne borough police officer Larry Hohol is a friend of the Leone family and says the head injuries left Hohol unstable and paranoid.
“My heart breaks for him and his family,” Hohol said. “He is looking for computer chips from the government in his computer. It is such a sad, sad thing to see happen in front of your eyes.”
Lawyers for the five troopers showed video of the slow speed chase on Route 6 in Bradford County that lasted more than a half hour, showing how Leone had several chances to pull over and avoid a confrontation.
Three of the five state troopers being sued testified including Trooper Matt Knock.
Knock is one of two officers who testified to punching Leone during the scuffle.
After escorting Leone to a squad car, Knock says he swore at Leone for allegedly spitting on a fellow officer.
Leone's response could be heard on the state police dash cam video. After hearing her son`s cries on video, Robert Leone`s mother left the courtroom saying she was too upset to talk.
Trooper Knock testified he had no regrets other than using profanity adding he was cleared of any wrongdoing by both a state police an internal affairs investigation and in another investigation by the U.S. Justice Department.
The civil trial is expected to wrap up by the end of the week.
