San Diego
The alleged victim in an assault case against two San Diego police officers was sentenced Wednesday to a year in County Jail on cocaine charges.
Keith Beals, 19, of San Diego was placed on three years’ probation, fined $200 and given a two-year suspended prison sentence.
Beals testified against Officers Mark Keyser, 30, and David Nellis, 29, who are charged with assault under color of authority in Beals’ Sept. 18 arrest. Beals contends that the officers chased him into a cemetery and beat him after he was handcuffed.
During the officers’ preliminary hearing, four other San Diego police officers invoked the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify on grounds they might incriminate themselves.
Beals was sentenced by San Diego Municipal Judge Jesus Rodriguez for cocaine possession. Beals had a previous drug conviction.
Keyser and Nellis pleaded not guilty to the charges on Feb. 7, and a trial date of March 27 was set.
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