Lawyer: Worcester Policeman Accused of Beating Prisoner May Have PTSD
A lawyer for the Worcester police officer accused of beating a shackled prisoner and making a racist comment said in court that the officer may be suffering from PTSD from his time in the Army.
Michael Motyka entered not-guilty pleas in Worcester District Court on Friday to charges of assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and a civil rights violation.
According to police, the 17-year veteran of the department told a handcuffed and shackled 48-year-old man to “get your black ass in the cell’’ at the Worcester police station in December. Motyka, who is white, then allegedly entered the cell, pushed the man up against the wall, threw him to the ground, and kicked him, police said.
The victim filed a complaint in March to the Bureau of Professional Standards, and a witness and surveillance video of the incident corroborated the story. The complaint alleges that other officers saw the incident and laughed, according to the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
The surveillance video has not been released to the public, but it was referenced during Motyka’s arraignment.
He has been placed on administrative leave pending a termination hearing, and police said the investigation is ongoing.
Motyka was released on his own recognizance, and is due in court again on June 2.
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