Dededo cop acquitted of felony assault

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Police Officer Steven Topasna was acquitted of felony assault charges following a jury trial, but was convicted of misdemeanor assault.  A Superior Court jury has been listening to testimony presented during the trial for the last two days.

Officer Topasna is accused of assaulting Rey Gagarin at his home.  The officer was off-duty at the time and had thought Gagarin was responsible for damaging his personal vehicle.  Gagarin was brought in to the Dededo Precinct and officers later admitted they took the wrong person into custody. 

After several hours of deliberation on Wednesday, jurors today determined there wasn't enough evidence to convict Topasna of felony assault, but instead convicted him of misdemeanor assault.

A sentencing date has not been scheduled.