Bethlehem Beating Settled

A lawsuit filed in 2002 alleging police brutality at a Bethlehem, Pa., music festival, has finally been settled.

James Joseph Lisicky and his son, James Michael Lisicky, sued the city of Bethlehem and police claiming they were attacked during Musikfest 2000.

The two men will receive $850,000 from the city. The city’s insurer opted to settle and avoid additional costs; the city admitted no wrongdoing.

The Lisickys said they reported a fight to police and were told to return to the area. The elder Lisicky said he was trying to help a man who had been punched and left on the ground.

He said when he tried to leave the scene responding officers sprayed him with pepper spray, threw him to the ground, put him in a choke hold, hit him three times and Tasered him, according to the lawsuit, as reported by the Express-Times. Lisicky said he was beat until unconscious.

Lisicky was charged with several offenses but, in 2002, a jury acquitted him of all charges.