FEDERAL TRIAL BEGINS FOR OXNARD OFFICER.

Byline: Associated Press 

A federal prosecutor told jurors that an Oxnard police officer violated the rights of a burglary suspect by hitting him on the head with a flashlight during an arrest in 1996.

Officer Robert Flinn, who was acquitted of excessive-force charges in state court a year ago, went on trial Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

U.S. Attorney Jonathan S. Shapiro said in his opening statement that Flinn, 30, bloodied Juan Lopez, 31, and lied about it, violating Lopez's constitutional rights.

Lopez was unarmed and was not moving when Flinn hit him, Shapiro said.

``The evidence will show that he tried to cover it up,'' he said.

Defense attorney Barry Levin said in his opening statement that Flinn made a proper arrest.

``The evidence in this case will clearly show it was Officer Flinn's duty to apprehend Lopez, who had just committed a serious felony,'' Levin said.

Flinn used ``necessary and reasonable'' force to apprehend Lopez, who had allegedly run from police after being caught with stolen property, the attorney said.

The officer hit Lopez in the chest, not over the head, Levin said. Lopez suffered his injuries, including a gash over his eye, when he hit his head on the ground as he was caught, Levin said.

The disputed arrest occurred Jan. 27, 1996, in Oxnard.

Ventura County Superior Court jurors last year acquitted Flinn of using excessive force to subdue Lopez despite the prosecution's ``bully with a badge'' mantra.

Federal investigators then took the case before a grand jury, which indicted Flinn in May on two counts of civil rights violations.

Flinn is accused of violating Lopez's right to not have police beat him, and to not have false charges leveled against him. A seven-year veteran of the force, Flinn faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted, as well as $500,000 in fines.