Officer charged
Michael Mattioli faces reckless homicide charge in chokehold death.
Michael Mattioli, a 13-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, told investigators he put his friend Joel Acevedo in a chokehold for 10 minutes during a fight in April but didn’t think he applied enough pressure to kill him, according to a criminal complaint.
Acevedo, 25, died from his injuries about a week after the fight, and now Mattioli, 32, has been charged with firstdegree reckless homicide.
In a statement, Acevedo’s family remembered their loved one’s smile, kindness and “positive energy” as they called for transparency in the case.
“Joel will never be able to tell us what happened,” his family said. “Given the unique circumstances of this case, we look forward to an investigation and prosecution that is open and transparent, and that will ensure justice is served.”
If convicted, Mattioli faces up to 40 years in prison and another 20 years on extended supervision. He is on full suspension from MPD, the department has said, and is free on $50,000 bail he posted April 23.
Prosecutors cite 911 call, body camera footage
With the help of body camera footage, the six-page criminal complaint describes in detail how responding officers arrived at Mattioli’s house in the 4500 block of West Cleveland Avenue the morning of April 19 to find the off-duty officer holding Acevedo in a “rear naked chokehold.”
According to the complaint:
The fight between the two occurred after a night of drinking among four friends at Mattioli’s house. Mattioli told police he awoke to find Acevedo going through the pockets of the pants Mattioli was wearing. Acevedo was told to leave, but he punched another person, which led to Mattioli restraining him.
Mattioli told police he met Acevedo while working overtime in downtown Milwaukee. Acevedo worked as a security guard in the area, so their paths crossed.
While holding Acevedo down, Mattioli phoned 911. Gasping noises, distressed breathing and loud snorting could be heard over the phone.
Another person then took the phone and told dispatchers that a man was attacking them.
Mattioli later told police he held Acevedo on the ground while placing the 911 call and stayed on top of him until officers intervened, about 10 minutes later.
When Mattioli released Acevedo, officers saw bubbles around his mouth and no signs of movement.
‘I know what’s deadly force and what’s not’
In interviews with investigators that day, Mattioli asked them at least twice what was so bad about what happened.
When informed about Acevedo’s critical injuries, Mattioli responded, “Well [expletive] him. He stole from me. I don’t give a [expletive] what shape he is in,” the complaint said.
He also told investigators he knew chokeholds could be deadly, but that he didn’t believe he applied enough pressure to Acevedo’s neck:
“I know what’s deadly force and what’s not.”
Acevedo family: ‘He just loved to help others’
Acevedo was a “young man full of life whose laugh was contagious” his family said in a statement released by advocacy and service organization Forward Latino.
“He just loved to help others in any way he could, whether it was giving a homeless man a bag of clothes or sharing a joke.”
Relatives also confirmed he worked as a security guard and aspired to a career in law enforcement.
“It is especially difficult for our family knowing that an officer was involved in taking his life,” his family said. “Losing Joel has left a void that can never be filled.”