Ex-Officer Charged with Assault Enters Not Guilty Plea

The former Salem police officer charged with assaulting a suspect has waived his arraignment and entered a not guilty plea, according to the Union Leader.

Joseph Freda, 33, was scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 24 on charges that he used excessive force while arresting Thomas Templeton, 39, of York, Maine, on Oct. 6. The former officer could face up to five years in prison for allegedly using a flashlight to beat and draw blood from a handcuffed Templeton, a high-speed chase suspect, before intentionally stepping on one of the man's cuffed hands.

Freda was originally placed on paid administrative leave on Oct. 23 when the AG's office began its investigation, but was placed on unpaid leave and arrested on two counts of misdemeanor simple assault on Jan. 15. He was then fired by the town a week later.

[Read the full story here.]