Prosecution rests in DeCarlo trial

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The prosecution has rested its case in the police brutality trial involving Providence Detective Robert DeCarlo.

During cross-examination Thursday afternoon, Chief Timothy Longo from Charlottesville, VA acknowledged his role as a police academy law instructor involves - search and seizure and not excessive force.

"Your role as the law instructor, does not relate to use of force, correct?"

"Yes, ma'am," replied Chief Longo.

"They have a specific use of force instructor for that?"

Longo answered, "Yes ma'am, that's correct."

DeCarlo is charged with excessive force. He's facing charges that he deliberately beat Mendonca with a flashlight back in October 2009, knocking Mendonca unconscious and needing eight stitches to his face.

DeCarlo, however, told prosecutors that he was aware he had hit Mendonca with his hand while holding a flashlight.

DeCarlo himself took the stand Tuesday, and again on Wednesday for cross-examination .

He maintained that he couldn't see that the man he is accused of beating, Luis Mendonca, was in handcuffs, but he did tell prosecutors he was able to see Mendonca struggling to break free from the grasp of other officers.

"I couldn't see that he was cuffed," DeCarlo said in court on Wednesday.

The jury will begin deliberating on Friday.