Former SEPTA Tranist Officer On Trial For 2013 Argument
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A fired SEPTA transit officer, who got into a Christmas morning argument in 2013 with a woman about cutting in line while both were getting coffee, is now on trial. He faces assault, retaliation and intimidation charges.
Jurors will view the video from inside a Dunkin Donuts in Suburban Station depicting Septa transit officer Douglas Ioven, who was just beginning his shift, and nurse Muibat Williamson, who had just ended hers.
Assistant DA Andrew Wellbrock told jurors it's a case of "serve and protect gone wrong," abuse of power, and how you act when no one's watching.
Williamson claims Ioven butted in for his order and stepped on her foot; she asked for an apology, to which he responded, according to her, "next time, get out of the way."
Williamson then went to file a complaint at the Septa mini-station in the concourse, where they picked up their confrontation during which other officers responded to the commotion, and Ioven handcuffed her and charged her with disorderly conduct.
Defense lawyer Joseph Silvestro claims she was the aggressor, causing a disturbance in the concourse. He says the same video does not show his client stepping on anyone's foot.
As for her request for an apology, Silvestro says Ioven wasn't ignoring her, he had the police radio in his ear and he didn't hear her.
Silvestro also points out Williamson has what he terms an "incentive to be less than truthful," because she's filed a civil lawsuit against Ioven and Septa.
