Judge Lets Beating Victim Reopen Civil Case Against Reinstated Officer

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http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGB3A40BNDE.html

BOSTON (AP) - An undercover police officer who was mistakenly beaten by colleagues a decade ago has decided to pursue damages against one of the alleged attackers because that man recently won back his job.

The request to reopen Michael Cox's civil case was approved by a federal judge Wednesday. The trial was set for January.

Cox was working undercover in plainclothes in 1995 when other officers allegedly mistook him for a suspect in a fatal shooting and severely beat him during a foot chase.

In 1998, David Williams, along with another officer, were found liable by a federal jury in a civil lawsuit for using excessive force. A third officer was cleared of excessive force charges, but found liable for ignoring Cox's medical needs.