NEWARK — When Therman Brown accused Elizabeth police of pistol-whipping him after an arrest in 2005, the city's internal affairs unit concluded the incident "didn't happen."

When the man’s attorneys made the same accusations in federal court, a jury concluded it did and this week awarded Brown $1.5 million in damages.

The actions of Officer David Conrad were "wonton or malicious," read the verdict, returned on Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Newark. The jury reached its conclusion after a civil trial in which Brown, now 47, accused officers of police brutality and a subsequent cover-up. The Elizabeth man also claimed the alleged attack fractured a piece of his skull, lodging it in the lining of his brain.

"We certainly believe there was abuse, a cover-up and dishonest testimony from officers on the stand," said Mark Lawrence, one of Brown’s attorneys. "And we think the jury saw right through that in coming to their decision."

On Aug. 31, 2005, officers stopped Brown for driving through a red light at Magnolia and Jefferson avenues. A police report said Brown got out of his car, ran away from officers, then climbed and fell over a 6-foot fence, causing his injuries. Brown was charged with obstructing justice, resisting arrest and hindering apprehension. All charges were dropped shortly after the arrest.

Brown then filed a complaint against the Elizabeth Police Department, claiming brutality. An internal affairs investigation determined in December 2005 that the accusations were unfounded.

Brown filed his civil suit in 2007, alleging physical and emotional damages stemming from the 2005 arrest. He claimed Conrad, as well as officers Vincent Flatley and Athanasios Mikros, directed racial epithets at him during questioning, that he was struck in the head with a pistol by Conrad and that the three filed a false report to cover up the incident.

"This is a guy who was up against a whole sea of blue and for years he just hoped people would believe him," said Stacey Selem-Antonucci, one of Brown’s attorneys.

The civil trial, which began Oct. 19, included testimony from the EMT who responded to the scene the night of the incident, police witnesses, speech pathologist and neurosurgeons who testified on the extent of Brown’s injuries, Lawrence said.

"It’s always difficult, unless you’re Rodney King and a camera catches it, to prove police brutality," Lawrence said. "But in this case, the cover up was clumsy enough that I think we could get through it and use it to prove the case to a very attentive and intelligent jury."

On Tuesday, the jury in federal court deliberated for three hours before finding Conrad, 40, liable for the intentional and excessive use of force in violation of Brown’s Fourth Amendment rights. There are no criminal charges pending against Conrad and he is still a detective with the Elizabeth Police Department. The 15-year-veteran earned a salary $87,580 last year, according to public records.

The officer’s lawyer, Robert Renaud, said he is in ongoing discussions regarding the case and would not comment on the verdict. A city spokesman said he was unfamiliar with the details of the case and declined to comment.

Robert Morse, the Elizabeth PBA president, called Conrad an asset to the department. "He’s an excellent member of the force. He’s been with us for a very long time," Morse said.

Attorneys for Conrad, Brown and the city are discussing how the $1.5 million judgment will be paid out, Lawrence said. A judgment that large in a police brutality case isn’t unheard of, but it’s no small sum, said Thomas Mallon, a Monmouth County attorney who has handled similar cases.

"It’s a substantial number," he said, "and it’s one that will raise awareness in the department of police brutality and hopefully spark some changes."

Staff writer Ryan Hutchins contributed to this report.