LEBANON — For the second time in three years, a Lebanon family is accusing the same city police officer of brutality as a defense against criminal charges.

        Monday, as prosecutors told a jury that 56-year-old Lee Everitt assaulted Officer Chris Brock on Aug. 26, tried to steal his gun, then sped off in his van, dragging the officer about 30 feet, the defendant's lawyer painted his client as the victim.

        Attorney Timothy Evans denied that Mr. Everitt tried to take the officer's firearm, and said that he left in his van because he was trying to get away from an officer who had just beat him with an expandable baton and maced him.

        Mr. Everitt was treated at University Hospital in Cincinnati for a head wound, then jailed.

        “The officer did overreact,” Mr. Evans told jurors during opening statements in a trial that is scheduled for two days in Warren County Common Pleas Court.

        County Assistant Prosecutor James Beaton said Mr. Everitt became aggressive with Officer Brock when the officer pulled him over at Warren and High streets for driving erratically.

        He said Mr. Everitt began pushing Officer Brock and lunging for his gun. The two men wrestled on the ground, at which time Officer Brock struck Mr. Everitt with his baton to defend himself.

        Mr. Everitt drove to a sister's house and called Lebanon Assistant Chief Bob Hawley.

        Officer Brock was one of four Lebanon officers accused of using excessive force in October 1999, when Mr. Everitt's son, Chad, and a roommate were arrested when police broke up a loud party. Chad Everitt, who was later convicted of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, was bruised by Officer Brock's baton.

        The Warren County Sheriff's Office cleared the officers of using excessive force in the arrests.

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