Freedom

Officer Cleared of Using Excessive Force On Protester

The San Francisco Police Commission on Wednesday cleared an officer accused of violating department regulations by using excessive force when he swung his baton and broke the arm of an anti-war protester in 2003. Nelson was accused of unnecessarily striking Linda Vaccarezza, 39, with his baton during a March 20, 2003, demonstration in the intersection of Market and Fourth streets. The blow shattered Vaccarezza's arm, and she required the surgical insertion of a plate and metal pins to repair the damage. Posted by Editor at August 23, 2005 08:38 AM