Michael Mineo might have a hard time convincing a jury that, in October 2008, after running from police into a New York City subway station, one officer penetrated his rectum with a baton, while two other tried covering up the scandal. That’s because Mineo sports an arrest record, gang membership, heavy tattoos, and what the cops’ defense attorneys are trying to paint as misleading statements to Internal Affairs about the event. But Mineo, who is also suing the city in a civil suit for hundreds of millions of dollars, insists: “I felt it penetrating me. Something I have never felt before.”
We’ve been following Mineo’s alleged brutal assault, and lawsuit, for a year and a half now. There’s nothing particularly “gay” about it; we understand Mineo is straight. But he does accuse the officers of screaming homophobic slurs at him during the assault. (“You liked it [fag],” Mineo says one officer said to him as they escorted him out of the subway station in handcuffs after the attack.) And the assault, which Mineo took the stand to tell jurors he was “not making this up. What happened to me, happened to me,” absolutely reeks of the type of rape violence that all too often accompanies man-on-man assaults, whether in domestic abuse or a gay bashings.
The sexual assault trial continues this week. The defense, it must be said, did well on cross-examining Mineo, who doesn’t make the most sympathetic victim. Except if Mineo’s harrowing story is true, and the police officers are found guilty by the jury, it’s going to go a long way in accelerating his civil case against the city and the police department. Who might be quick to settle upon a conviction.
(Photo: NYT)
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terrwill
Ya left out the most absurd part of this story. The attorney for the coppers claim that whilst Michael was handcuffed, he caused said injuries to his butt with his own fingers………
Fitz
Just because this guy is a bit of a slime ball doesn’t mean that he wasn’t violated. BTW, how long before some used-douche on this site makes some “Oh I wish it were me” comment? 3…2…..1….
Mike in Asheville, nee "in Brooklyn"
This case will probably turn on the testimony of the fourth cop who witnessed the arrest and did not participate in the claimed coverup. The prosecution will call him to the stand, with his sworn deposition and police report in hand to ensure he keeps to his story.
For the City and NYPD, nothing will be cheaper, in the long-run, than these 3 cops going to jail. The cops don’t pay the damages to the victim, the deep pockets are the City/NYPD. Bad apple [pun intended] cops’ fear of getting caught and going to prison themselves seems to be the best way to take these type of attacks from being repeated.
Per the civil suit, NYPD still has a way to go to eliminate prejudice against gays and other minorities [including minority v. minority]. Certainly NYPD has come a long way, but there is no excuse for this type of police brutality against anyone. Irrespective of the results of the criminal trial, this man, while in police custody, did not brutalize himself.
holla
Why is this alleged victim’s identity being revealed so readily here? Is there no rape shield law in NY? Or did he ask to be publicly identified? This is a sexual assault, and the victim should be allowed to maintain anonymity in the press, right?
anonymous
I wish him luck in his lawsuit. Now that he has cleaned himself up he is really cute. He looked like a real slime ball when this case first broke.
schlukitz
Having been a witness to Stonewall and other gay club raids over the years, as well as having been the victim of NYC police gay abuse back in the late 60s, I have no problem believing the charges that Michael Mineo has brought against them.
“New York City’s Finest” have had a long history of abusing their power with the LGBT community.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
I believe him. They totally did it!
Pete
The NYT article says that the medical evidence does not support his claims.
I don’t like cops pounding people, but this guy is a slime ball.
ChristopherM
Really Queerty? Finger fuck jokes in your headlines about sexual assault victims? There’s a line between snarky and no class, and you’ve jumped it again. This is why I quit visiting regularly after Japhy was fired.
dontblamemeivotedforhillary
Oh yeah, crappy Jaffy. He was so stupid! At least he could spell compared to these Queerty (pass the crystal pipe) Editors!