Advertisement Charges dismissed against Pittsburgh cop in violent arrest at Heinz Field Sgt. Stephen Matakovich no longer facing charges over incident at WPIAL high school football championship games Share Shares Copy Link Copy

All charges were dismissed Monday against a city police sergeant in connection with an arrest he made during the WPIAL high school football championship games at Heinz Field.Sgt. Stephen Matakovich did not comment and left through a side door after District Judge Robert Ravenstahl threw out the charges of simple assault and official oppression. The judge ruled after hearing testimony from Matakovich and the man he arrested, Gabriel Despres.Pittsburgh police officers who packed the courtroom applauded after the charges were dismissed."We're just ecstatic. What else can I say?" defense attorney Blaine Jones said. "You know, he did not go there with the intention of hurting anyone at all. He wanted the young man to leave. And based on Sgt. Matakovich's over two decades of experience, he wasn't sure if there was a threat or not, so he was proactive in his actions."Download the WTAE mobile app to stay updated with breaking news throughout the day. (Free in your app store.)Matakovich was in uniform and working an off-duty secondary employment detail when he arrested Despres, 19, on charges of criminal trespass, public drunkenness, aggravated assault and underage drinking. The Nov. 28 arrest was recorded on security video and turned over to police by Heinz Field management.During Monday's preliminary hearing, Matakovich testified that he believed Despres was poised to attack him.Officer David Wright, a Pittsburgh Police Bureau expert on use of force, testified for the prosecution against the sergeant. He said Despres' stance in the video was not aggressive and that the use of force was not justified.According to the criminal complaint, Matakovich submitted a police report of the incident that said, "Despres stepped his leg back and bladed his body slightly and appeared to have clinched his right fist and then rocked onto the balls of his feet from his heels." Matakovich wrote in the report that he took this as a sign of aggression and felt Despres was going to assault him.Matakovich said he pushed Despres to create a gap between them, but Despres fell backwards onto the ground. He got up and said, "What the (expletive)?" Matakovich wrote that he pushed Despres again saying, "Don't do it. Stop." He then says Despres lunged at him which Matakovich responded by punching him in the face. The two scuffled before they both fell on the ground with Despres on his back and Matakovich on top. Matakovich says he "delivered a palm cuff to his face again and yelled, 'Let go. Put your hands behind your back.'" Despres rolled over and Matakovich was able to place him in handcuffs.The video was reviewed by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office and the police bureau's use-of-force expert before charges were filed against Matakovich.According to Lt. Victor Joseph, who wrote the criminal complaint, the video does not match what Matakovich wrote in his report. It says the video shows Matakovich, security and event staff in the same area as Despres, apparently asking him to leave. Despres takes a few steps away and then turns toward the group. Matakovich walks toward Despres, pointing for him to leave, then shoves Despres twice, knocking him to the ground each time.After the second shove, Despres is attempting to get up and Matakovich begins punching Despres with both fists around his head. The two briefly go off camera, but when they are back on, Despres is on a knee and Matakovich is striking him with his right hand.Despres eventually goes to the ground on his back where Matakovich strikes him again before rolling Despres over and handcuffing him with the assistance of three security guards.Witnesses who were present during the incident told police they never heard Despres make any verbal threats towards Matakovich.Matakovich was placed on paid administrative leave after the incident. He remains on unpaid leave while his conduct is reviewed by the city's Office of Municipal Investigations.