A man who accused Wilkes-Barre police of brutality was back in court Thursday and learned the charges against him will not be dropped.
Luis Cruz said he was attacked by Wilkes-Barre police in August. Police deny that.
"Basically it's just bold-face lying to try to get a case against me," said Cruz of Wilkes-Barre. He added he's not surprised he's headed to county court now.
A judge decided Thursday there is enough evidence for Cruz to face charges including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
"We don't believe there's any real evidence that Mr. Cruz committed a crime, but I'm not surprised at this stage," said defense attorney Barry Dyller.
Cruz said he was simply running from police on that day in August because he was afraid.
Cruz and several witnesses said that's when he was wrestled to the ground, kicked, punched and hit with a baton by at least four city police officers.
"They just started hitting him and hitting him and hitting him and kicking him and punching him and I did run off my porch, yes, to save someone," said Chris Krepps, who witnessed the incident.
She was arrested that day, too, charged with interfering with Cruz's arrest.
Police said despite the claims of excessive force, they did what they had to that day, arresting a man they believed had a gun and intended to use it.
"This just substantiates what I've said from the beginning. My officers didn't do anything wrong. We had a situation that required the officers to react and they did react and the situation was very scary and a very out of hand situation," said Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Gerry Dessoye.
Both Luis Cruz and Chris Krepps will have to face the charges against them at the county level.
As for the claims of excessive force, state police are investigating that.
Luis Cruz said he was attacked by Wilkes-Barre police in August. Police deny that.
"Basically it's just bold-face lying to try to get a case against me," said Cruz of Wilkes-Barre. He added he's not surprised he's headed to county court now.
A judge decided Thursday there is enough evidence for Cruz to face charges including disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.
"We don't believe there's any real evidence that Mr. Cruz committed a crime, but I'm not surprised at this stage," said defense attorney Barry Dyller.
Cruz said he was simply running from police on that day in August because he was afraid.
Cruz and several witnesses said that's when he was wrestled to the ground, kicked, punched and hit with a baton by at least four city police officers.
"They just started hitting him and hitting him and hitting him and kicking him and punching him and I did run off my porch, yes, to save someone," said Chris Krepps, who witnessed the incident.
She was arrested that day, too, charged with interfering with Cruz's arrest.
Police said despite the claims of excessive force, they did what they had to that day, arresting a man they believed had a gun and intended to use it.
"This just substantiates what I've said from the beginning. My officers didn't do anything wrong. We had a situation that required the officers to react and they did react and the situation was very scary and a very out of hand situation," said Wilkes-Barre Police Chief Gerry Dessoye.
Both Luis Cruz and Chris Krepps will have to face the charges against them at the county level.
As for the claims of excessive force, state police are investigating that.
