Springfield officers accused of excessive force in federal lawsuit

A federal district court lawsuit alleges that two Springfield police officers used excessive force when handcuffing a suspect in April 2016.

MORE ON THE LAWSUIT: What it says, and how both sides are responding

According to the suit, which was filed on April 24, a warrant was issued by a judge in February 2016 for the arrest of Johnny Haney, of Springfield, for failure to appear in court.

The two officers, Cassidy Cantrell and Justin Massie, arrested Haney in April of that year for the warrant and also charged him with obstructing official business.

Haney didn’t resist arrest at any point, the lawsuit says. When he was put in the back of the police van, the officers pulled up on his hands, using excessive force and breaking his wrist, it says. He was taken to the Clark County Jail.

City of Springfield Law Director Jerry Strozdas said he is still reviewing the case with the officers involved and declined to comment.

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