Former Meriden police officer sentenced to 14 months



A former Meriden police officer has been sentenced to jail after he was convicted of using unreasonable force against a handcuffed man and lying about it in a report.
A Meriden police officer who was found guilty by a federal jury of using unreasonable force when he shoved a handcuffed man into a prison cell bench resigned from the department Tuesday.

Evan Cossette, 26, was convicted of pushing Pedro Temich, of Meriden, which made him fall into the cement bench and left him unconsciousness. The fall also left him with 12-centimeter gash on the back of his head.
Cossette took the stand in his own defense Friday and said he thought the man was about to attack him and didn't expect him to fall.
During his testimony, Cossette said the surveillance video was edited and leaves out the part when he told the prisoner to sit down.
On Monday, he was found guilty of using unreasonable force and obstructing a federal investigation by preparing a false report.
Cossette resigned from his position Tuesday morning, according to the personnel director for the city of Meriden.
And since he resigned, there is no need to hold a hearing regarding his termination from the police force.
Cossette could face up to 30 years in prison and is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 28.
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Evan Cossette, the son of police Chief Jeffry Cossette, was sentenced to 14 months in jail on Monday in federal court New Haven. After his 14 months in jail, he will have to complete one year of supervised release.
Prosecutors urged the judge to sentence him within the guidelines range of 27 to 33 months. Cossette's attorney was asking for home confinement and community service.
Surveillance video played during the trial shows Cossette pushing Pedro Temich into a jail cell in 2010. Temich fell and hit his head on a concrete bench.
Cossette testified he didn't intend to injure Temich. He said he thought Temich was about to head-butt him when he pushed him and was surprised he fell.