Deputy getting his chance to talk with Denver officials about son's beating by cops in LoDo - The Denver Post

Deputy getting his chance to talk with Denver officials about son's beating by cops in LoDo - The Denver Post

The Pueblo County sheriff's deputy who was talking to his son by cellphone when Denver police grabbed and beat the young man will meet with Deputy Mayor Bill Vidal about the case.

Deputy Anthony DeHerrera, who had requested the meeting a month ago, said he received a call from Vidal's office Friday and will meet with him as soon as today.

"I'm hoping that in the future if something like this happens that other families won't have to wait this long for resolution," he said Tuesday. "This thing should have been wrapped up in 90 days."

DeHerrera's son Michael was speaking to him by cellphone on April 4, 2009, when Officer Devin Sparks grabbed Michael and hurled him to the ground. The incident was captured on videotape. A charge of resisting arrest was later dismissed against Michael DeHerrera.

Denver's former manager of safety determined the beating did not represent excessive force but docked Sparks and Cpl. Randy Murr three days' pay each for filing inaccurate reports.

A furor caused by the manager's decision led to his resignation. After Mayor John Hickenlooper invited the FBI to examine the case, the Police Department reopened an internal investigation in August, hoping to speak with two witnesses who told 9News that Michael DeHerrera did nothing to provoke his mistreatment. The FBI dropped its participation after the case was reopened.

Anthony DeHerrera said he has been calling Denver police and the mayor's office every week to learn how the case is progressing.

Read more: Deputy getting his chance to talk with Denver officials about son's beating by cops in LoDo - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_16870456#ixzz18HS3mjQ8
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