Lincoln cop guilty in assault case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Guilty. That was the verdict handed down by a Providence Superior Court judge in the assault case against a Lincoln police officer.

The judge convicted Officer Edward Krawetz of felony battery with a dangerous weapon.

Krawetz was accused of kicking a handcuffed woman outside Twin River casino in 2009 after the woman tried to kick him. The incident was caught on surveillance camera.

Krawetz, who is currently suspended from the force, was removing Donna Levesque from the facility for disorderly conduct. While testifying in his own defense, Krawetz's said he kicked Levesque in self defense.

Testimony in Krawetz's bench trial wrapped up earlier this month. He waived his right to a jury trial, and instead opted for the judge to hear the evidence.

It's not the first time Krawetz has been convicted of assault. In 2001 he was convicted of misdemeanor assault after a confrontation with a man who was jogging with friends in Cumberland. He was suspended for 30 days following that case.

Sentencing in the case is set for March 19.