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Former police officer pleads not guilty to civil rights violation

By The 2 min read
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A former Redstone police sergeant pleaded not guilty to violating a Brier Hill man’s civil rights, and was freed on $10,000 unsecured bond Tuesday.

Norman Howard, 42, appeared for arraignment in federal court in Pittsburgh on charges that he punched David Novotney, 28, in the face in May 26, 2013, and then filed a false police report alleging Novotney resisted arrest.

Howard’s attorney, Charles J. Porter, declined comment to the Associated Press following the arraignment, and court documents indicate Porter has until June 19 to file motions in the case.

As part of his bond conditions, Howard is not allowed to have any contact with Novotney, or Redstone Township police Chief Troy Rice and township Officer Dominick Polito, both of whom backed up Howard May 26, after he had Novotney pulled over. Neither Rice nor Polito are accused of wrongdoing, and court papers indicate the two arrived when Novotney was already on the ground.

Rice was named police chief in October, after Howard resigned from the department in the midst of unrelated domestic abuse charges brought against him and his girlfriend. Those charges were ultimately dismissed.

Howard’s bond conditions also provide that he surrender his passport, according to court documents. Court documents filed in federal court indicated that Howard gave a statement to the FBI as part of the investigation in January. Other evidence includes a photo of Novotney shortly after the alleged incident and his medical reports, according to federal court filings.

The case against Howard arose after he alleged in criminal charges filed in May 2013 that he pulled over a vehicle in which Novotney was a passenger.

Howard had alleged that Novotney shoved him, and resisted arrest; however, federal prosecutors contend that Howard punched Novotney in the face.

In the paperwork Howard filed, he wrote that Novotney “sustained an injury under his left eye from his resistive efforts upon the rock covered driveway.”

All of the felony and misdemeanor charges lodged against Novotney were dismissed in August 2013, though Novotney pleaded guilty to a summary citation for disorderly conduct.

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