Cleared of assault, officer charged with vandalism

Baltimore Police Officer Kevin Battipaglia was cleared this month of assault, but the 33-year-old cop is due back in court after he allegedly “mule kicked” a hole in the front desk of his police station when told he had to work Halloween night. Battipaglia is charged with destruction of property over his alleged eruption Sunday at the Northeast District police station. Police wrote in charging documents that he caused $600 in damage to the desk and a glass door. Online court records did not list his attorney. Battipaglia did not respond to a request for comment sent through a police spokeswoman. About three weeks ago, a Baltimore circuit judge acquitted the officer of assault during a foot chase Christmas Eve in Northeast Baltimore. He had been accused of clubbing 21-year-old Darrian Carr with his baton after the chase. He’s scheduled for trial Dec. 10 in Baltimore District Court. He faces a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. ments in the first few years,” Quinn said in an interview Tuesday. “That’s just how it’s been scheduled, based on historical age of the system.” Brian O’Malley, president of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance, a transit advocacy group, acknowledged that spending fluctuates and agencies commonly budget less money in the later years to allow themselves flexibility. If the MTAspends its money as planned, though, 2023 and 2024 will be the lowest-spending levels in15 years, said O’Malley, who is no relation to the former governor. “It’s a big system with a lot of riders and it needs investment,” O’Malley said Tuesday. “I’m worried this document doesn’t provide as much investment as we need to set a good course for our future.” He cited the emergency shutdown of the Metro subway system in February and the significant delays to the MARC train service over the summer, among other concerns.