In the second day of trial against a former Streamwood police officer accused of beating a man, defense attorneys continued work to prove the officer's actions were justified.
James Mandarino, of Elgin, is charged with aggravated battery and official misconduct following the March 28, 2010, incident.
The camera from Mandarino's squad car recorded the 41-year-old officer repeatedly hitting 28-year-old Ronald Bell after a traffic stop. Bell was left with a concussion and multiple bruises and ultimately needed seven stitches to close a gash on his ear.
After State's Attorneys presented the squad car cam video Wednesday showing Mandarino hitting Bell 15 times with a baton, Dr. Mona Lala took the stand.
Lala treated Bell after the beating at the emergency room. She testified Wednesday that Bell was "uncooperative" while she gave him stitches for a cut to his ear, even though it was nearly seven hours after the beating.
"He seemed agitated and upset and somewhat combative," Lala said. "He smelled of alcohol [when he arrived to the hospital]."
Lala also told defense attorneys during cross examination that Bell denied having a head injury, denied having a headache, and denied being dizzy.
Bell said Tuesday he is confident he'll prevail.
"I just want justice to be served the right way. I think my civil rights have been violated, and it was the wrong thing for him to do," Bell said outside the Cook County Circuit Court building in Romeoville.
