Clare officers cleared of wrongdoing in civil case - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(07/07/12) - Two Mid-Michigan police officers have been cleared of wrongdoing following a motel shooting.

Two Clare police officers shot and killed 51-year-old William Scozzari outside the Lone Pine Motel in September of 2007.

Scozzari's family then filed a federal civil lawsuit through the U.S. District Court in Bay City.

They claimed the officers and the city violated his constitutional rights against excessive force.

On Friday, a jury sided with Clare Police Chief Dwayne Miedzianowski and Officer Jeremy McGraw who fired the shots.

They were cleared of any wrongdoing, and monetary damage was not awarded.

ABC12 archives show the officers responded to the motel to check out reports of gunfire in the area.

At the time, police said Scozzari tried to attack the two officers with a hatchet and a knife.

Shortly after the incident, the Clare County prosecutor cleared both officers of any wrongdoing, ruling the shooting as justifiable.