SCHENECTADY – The fate of a fired correction officer, who faces trial this week in an alleged beating at the Schenectady County jail, may be decided by which contrasting theories from medical experts jurors believe about the cause and severity of the injuries the detainee suffered during a violent encounter two years ago.
But before county prosecutors and the attorneys for Eugene Sellie and his former supervisor, ex-Sgt. Timothy Bruce, begin jury selection at week’s end, the two men are expected to appear Tuesday morning in county court where plea discussions have taken place.
If nothing comes of the plea talks, the trial of Sellie, who faces two counts each of felony assault and official misconduct, a misdemeanor, will get underway with jury selection on Friday. Bruce will be tried on official misconduct charges alongside him.
Both Sellie and Bruce were fired shortly after the Nov. 9, 2020, attack, which prompted the county to settle a federal lawsuit in October with the alleged victim, John Mannarino, for $562,500. He still receives medical treatment.
Prosecutors say the attack was unprovoked. Sellie’s attorney contends the 29-year-old was acting in self-defense when he fought with Mannarino.
Sellie faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of the felony assault charge. Bruce’s misconduct charge carries a maximum penalty of a year in jail.
The fight left Mannarino, 35, with several broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a collapsed lung and other injuries, authorities said. Authorities say Bruce failed to stop the beating and then did not report it to superiors at the facility as was required.
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