Trial To Begin For Former Transit Officer Accused Of Falsely Detaining Woman
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A former SEPTA transit police officer is about to go on trial, accused of falsely detaining a woman - handcuffing her - after she complained that he cut in front of others in line for coffee. It happened Christmas day two years ago.
Opening statements are expected Tuesday afternoon.
Inside a Suburban Station Dunkin Donuts, prosecutors allege an emergency room nurse complained that as SEPTA transit officer Douglas Ioven cut in line, he stepped on her foot. Then, the argument escalated, and as she went to lodge a complaint with the Transit Police office, Ioven allegedly threatened her, handcuffed her, and charged her with disorderly conduct. Those charges were later dropped, and Ioven was fired.
Assistant DA Andrew Wellbrock says the DA's office offered a plea arrangement.
"The defendant had been offered to plead to two of the charges, official oppression and simple assault as misdemeanors in the second degree, in exchange for probation," said Wellbrock.
Defense lawyer Joseph Silvestro says they rejected that deal, even though if a jury finds him guilty of the most serious charges - retaliation and intimidation - Ioven could be jailed for several years.
"He vehemently denies the way this case has been portrayed."
The defense intends to show a Dunkin Donuts video of the incident, that it maintains shows the SEPTA cop in line and minding his own business, until the ER nurse picked a verbal fight with him.
Guilty pleas to those misdemeanors would prevent Ioven from getting reinstated to the SEPTA police force. If a jury acquits, he would like his old job back.
