Cop accused of brutality takes stand

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - The trial of a Providence Detective accused of police brutality continued Tuesday.

Veteran Providence Police Detective Robert DeCarlo took the stand in his own defense.

"What was your sense at the moment you realized he [Luis Mendonca] was in handcuffs?"

"I couldn't believe I did it, did this type of force on this guy that was already handcuffed. I was disgusted," said DeCarlo in court.

DeCarlo is on trial for allegedly striking and kicking Luis Mendonca in Providence back in October of 2009. DeCarlo claims he used necessary forced to subdue Mendonca, because he was resisting arrest.

The incident was caught on video by a nearby surveillance camera.

• Video at the center of the investigation

In court Tuesday, DeCarlo reviewed the surveillance video using a pointer, saying the kicks were meant to be leg sweeps to bring Mendonca to the ground, and the other blows he said, were aimed at his stomach and back.

DeCarlo described the strike, aimed closest to Mendonca's head.

"I aimed at the upper back, this part right here. I believe I struck him in this vicinity right here," he said as he pointed to his own back.

Mendonca ended up with eight stitches to his face.