A fired Broward Sheriff's deputy who was caught on video roughly arresting a teen in Tamarac back in 2019 was found not guilty of misdemeanor battery Monday.
A six-member Broward County jury found Christopher Krickovich not guilty after about three hours of deliberations. If convicted, Krickovich could have faced up to one year in the county jail and a $1,000 fine.
Cellphone video that went viral showed Krickovich and Broward Sheriff’s Sgt. Greg LaCerra trying to subdue and arrest 15-year-old DeLucca Rolle on April 18, 2019, at Tamarac Town Square plaza, an area that was notorious for fights.
The deputies were seen punching the teen and slamming his head into the pavement while the teenager resisted being handcuffed.
The Hurricane season is on. Our meteorologists are ready. Sign up for the NBC 6 Weather newsletter to get the latest forecast in your inbox.
Prosecutors say Krickovich went too far. An expert witness who testified last week said Krickovich used excessive force.
A BSO training sergeant testifying on behalf of Krickovich and called his actions textbook.
Local
LaCerra's battery charge was dismissed by a Florida court of appeal that ruled he was acting in self-defense.
The defense contended Krickovich was doing the same because the area was dangerous.
"One person would start fighting and other kids would jump in,” said Mamie Williams, a Taravella security specialist for 19 years. “It was crazy."
Dozens of deputies and backup officers were called to the plaza regularly because fights involving over 200 students were so frequent.
The fighting got worse over the years as students from other schools and adults joined in, said Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Blake.
“Fights were horrendous. Pretty violent,” he testified in court. “Students getting knocked out. Adults getting knocked out.”
A professional standards committee had recommended no discipline for Krickovich, but Sheriff Gregory Tony disagreed and fired the former deputy.
