Convicted RI cop seeking new trial

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Attorneys for a Providence police detective convicted last month of assaulting a handcuffed suspect with a flashlight are asking the court to declare a mistrial and order a new trial.

Robert DeCarlo was acquitted of a second assault charge. A grainy surveillance video shows DeCarlo striking a suspect who had led police on a nighttime foot pursuit.

• Split decision on DeCarlo brutality

Prosecutors say DeCarlo acted out of anger. DeCarlo's attorneys say he used approved techniques to subdue what he thought was a resisting suspect.

A motion filed in Providence Superior Court says the prosecution presented evidence inappropriately, producing a verdict not justified by the evidence.

• Video at the center of the investigation

A judge ruled twice during a state prosecutor's closing argument that the prosecutor had referred to evidence not admitted during trial.

The attorney general's office declined to comment Thursday.