It took a federal court jury in Las Cruces less than two hours today to clear a Las Cruces Police Officer accused of excessive force in the arrest of a woman charged with shoplifting at a local Walmart. The jury rendered its verdict following a three day trial before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gregory B. Wormuth.
The case stems from a Sept. 23, 2009, incident in which plaintiff Patricia Velarde accused Officer Robert McCord of using excessive force when she was arrested for shoplifting at the Walmart on Walton Drive. Officer McCord is a seven-and-a-half year veteran of the Las Cruces Police Department.
Police Chief Richard Williams said following the verdict, “I appreciate the jury for carefully listening to the facts and absolving Officer McCord from any liability.”