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Kevin Jacko: Jupiter police officer acquitted of using excessive force

Posted at 6:06 AM, Sep 20, 2013
and last updated 2015-04-10 19:50:19-04

UPDATE: A jury acquitted Jupiter Police officer Kevin Jacko of using excessive force against Cody Blakenship.

EARLIER STORY:

JUPITER, Fla. -- An attorney for Kevin Jacko, the Jupiter Police Department officer charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, has filed a broad request for discovery from prosecutors.

Last week, Jacko, a law enforcement veteran, turned himself in to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office after an investigation by the public corruption unit of the Palm Beach County State attorney's office.

According to the independent probe, Jacko used "deadly force" during the arrest of Cody Blankenship.

Jacko has pleaded not guilty to the charge.

"We are actively going through the discovery process, and we are looking to exonerate Officer Kevin Jacko from these charges, Darren Shull, Jacko's attorney said. "Quite simply, this is an officer with a 20-year career -- a stellar career -- of not having any problems or sustained [Internal Affairs] complaints against him."

In June, Blankenship, who has a criminal history, was charged with trespassing and other charges.

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