FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – It took jurors a little less than three hours to render a verdict in the trial of Matthew Barbieri, a former Hollywood police officer charged with misdemeanor battery, finding the former officer not guilty.
Deliberations began early Thursday afternoon after the prosecution and defense gave their closing arguments.
This comes one day after the ex-cop took the stand to testify in his own defense.
The trial for Barbieri, who was charged in 2019, began on July 29.
Barbieri was shown on video smacking Raymond Schachner, Jr., who was in handcuffs after his father called 911 to report that his son was using drugs and behaving erratically.
“Wait a minute! Nobody gave you permission to search the house! You don’t have a warrant or nothing! No permission,” Schachter said before Barbieri struck him, according to the surveillance video.
Barbieri claims Schachner, who was acting erratically and screaming, lunged at him as he was trying to preserve evidence.
Barbieri was relieved of duty after Hollywood police were notified about the video. He faced a maximum punishment of up to one year in jail.
Schachner has also filed a civil suit against the officer.
Barbieri’s attorney tells Local 10 News he will now work with the city in an effort to get his client reimbursed for back pay.