DAUTOVIC TRIAL: Trial Continues For Former Officer

Emotional testimony Wednesday in the trial of Mersed Dautovic, a former Des Moines police officer accused of using excessive force and lying to cover it up.

Dautovic is charged with civil rights violations and obstruction of justice, stemming from a 2008 traffic stop, during which, Octavious Bonds was seriously injured.

His partner on that call, John Mailander, testified he and Dautovic struck Bonds several times with their batons.  He says some of the blows came after bonds stopped resisting.

Earlier this year, Mailander plead guilty to willful injury, felonious misconduct, perjury and obstruction of justice.

He admits he lied about the incident during previous court proceedings.

Wednesday, when asked why, Mailander broke down and told jurors, “I didn’t want to be labeled a snitch.  I didn’t want to be out on a trip and not have other officers show up because nobody trusted me.”

The trial is taking place in federal court, where cameras and other recording devices are not allowed.