Suspended Milwaukee Police Officer Michael Mattioli is pleading not guilty in the April death of 25-year-old Joel Acevado.
Mattioli entered his plea to a first-degree reckless homicide charge today (Tuesday) during a virtual arraignment hearing. Investigators say an off-duty Mattioli put Acevado in a chokehold at his home during a party and he died in the hospital six days later. The defense team plans to argue self-defense.
Mattioli claims that Acevado tried to steal from him and punched another man as he was leaving his house. Officers found Mattioli on top of Acevado and he was not breathing and didn’t have a pulse. His next court hearing in October 30th.
