Democracy In Albany

Still, the city offered no documentation, including any decision from an arbitrator or other hearing documents, to bolster its contention that department officials sought to fire Bonanni for the Henderson beating. That gap, among others, apparently weighed heavily with the federal jury this week, according to Radel.

"The jury concluded that the city was deliberately indifferent to his conduct," Radel said.

Bonanni also testified during this week's trial that he never underwent any special training or counseling as a result of the Henderson case, according to Radel.

Kevin Tuffey, who was chief of the Albany department for nearly five years until resigning in 1999, took the stand Monday and told the jury that when he left the force he did not believe Bonanni was fit to be an officer, according to Radel. Tuffey's brother, James, is currently chief of the force but did not testify at the trial.

Chief James Tuffey recently tried to fire Bonanni in connection with allegations the officer had come to work intoxicated in November 2006. Instead, that case was settled during an arbitration proceeding recently and Bonanni was reinstated to the force.

Tuffey declined comment on the verdict late Wednesday, saying the case was not over because the jury must still issue a ruling on punitive damages against Bonanni.

Sgt. Joseph Pickel, the supervisor who confronted Bonanni during the alcohol-related incident, was on the scene with Bonanni during the 2002 arrest of Lewis and also testified at this week's civil trial.

The accounts of the incident given by Pickel and officers Lawrence Heid and Joseph Shanahan, who is now the personal driver for Mayor Jerry Jennings, differed significantly, Radel said.

"The stories didn't make any sense," Radel said. "They brought in three guys, all of whom are his buddies and none of their stories matched up. The eyewitness testimony of the police officers was riddled with inconsistencies."