On Tuesday police constables Ricardo Cowo and John Mas pleaded guilty to beating Luis Alcoser so badly that his spleen had to be removed. Today both disgraced lawmen were sentenced and the news tonight is that they won't have to spend even a day in jail for the brutal beating. This morning Justice John Troadio Gonzalez sentenced the two men but didn't order any jail time. It is an interesting ruling because after pleas for leniency from both men Justice Gonzalez noted that his decision was influenced by what the victim Luis Alcoser told 7NEWS on Tuesday. At the time he said that their going to jail wouldn't help him, because he just wanted his spleen back. Guided, it seems, in part, by that interview, Gonzalez sent Cowo and Mas home with fines. Here's more.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This is the condition in which police left 23 year old Luis Alcoser on May 21st of 2005: on a hospital bed, barely able to move or even talk after he was brutally beaten inside the Caye Caulker Police Station.
Luis Alcoser,
[May 24th 2005] "…I got knocked out. When I woke up I was in the cell and right in the cell they just finished doing what they had to do. I bawled and bawled and the more I bawl, the more they worked me (beat me) because they said I am playing the fool."
This was Luis on Tuesday of this week, 17 months later. He is out of the hospital but he showed us this surgical wound, which is a daily reminder of his spleen which had to be removed because of the beating.
Luis Alcoser,
[October 25th, 2006] "Watch this, this is the operation they did to take out my spleen. You can only see one big cut outside but it is not only the big cut. My spleen is out and my organs were affected. They abused me. They kicked me up so bad and the day when you saw me in the hospital, you could have seen the size of feet on me. My nose is still twisted and my teeth are still hurting."
And the men who broke his tooth are these two police officers: - Ricardo Cowo and John Mas. Both were originally charged with dangerous harm but today both walked out of the courtroom as free men. The officers both pled guilty to lesser charges and instead of sending them to jail, a judged fined them. John Mas only has to pay $500 for the common assault. Ricardo Cowo was fined four thousand dollars and an additional $2,500 which will go to Alcoser. Cowo was pleased with the decision.
Keith Swift,
Mr. Cowo in court you said that you are sorry for what you did to Mr. Alcoser, are you sorry?
Ricardo Cowo, Fined for Grievous Harm
"Yes obviously I am sorry because the Lord says that whoever conceals his sins will not prosper. So whoever confesses their sin will attain God's mercy."
Keith Swift,
You don't think you deserve jail time?
Ricardo Cowo,
"No."
Keith Swift,
This man lost his spleen.
Ricardo Cowo,
"No comment."
Keith Swift,
Have you told him sorry personally?
Ricardo Cowo,
"Yes."
Keith Swift,
You feel the judgement is fair? You beat up a man so bad that he lost his spleen and now you get to walk free and pay a nominal fine.
Ricardo Cowo,
"God's rule was done. God wanted it this way."
And while Cowo is sure that a higher power wanted it this way, Luis Alcoser, the man who lost his spleen, isn't satisfied with the outcome.
Luis Alcoser, Beating Victim
"I am no one. Everything that happened, the man already said it. His
decision is his decision and what happens today happened."
Keith Swift,
Are you satisfied with it?
Luis Alcoser,
"Not really."
Keith Swift,
Cowo said he is sorry, you heard him in court. Do you accept his apology?
Luis Alcoser,
"God forgives and so I can forgive too. Next judgement day, I want to see if they get away on the next judgement day."
Justice Gonzalez also noted that both men had a clean police record and that they showed genuine remorse. He did however lambaste both for quote "overreacting." Both men have been fired from the Police Department and in the case of Mas, Justice Gonzalez said he shouldn't have been dismissed because, "others have done worse." Cowo has to pay the fine by February of next year or face three years in prison. Mas to pay his fine by December or spend six months in prison.
