01/29   PITTSBURGH (UPI) -- Four police officers have been sued in
federal court in Pittsburgh by two brothers who claim they were
beaten for allegedly opening a fire hydrant.
   Attorney Timothy Dawson said McKeesport police stopped the car of
Eric Leitzell, 26 of White Oak, in the Allegheny County town on Nov.
19, 1991, on a street where a fire hydrant had been opened. Police,
he said, were searching for a suspect who continually was tampering
with hydrants.
   Dawson alleges McKeesport police officer Robert Palestra stopped
the vehicle, then clubbed Eric's brother David, 22, of Elizabeth, in
the head several times. Dawson said David Lietzell elbowed the
officer during the attack while Palestra has said he was hit by
Leitzell without provocation.
   The lawsuit said David Leitzell acted in "self-defense in the
face of the use of deadly force" and wound up being charged with
aggravated assault.
   Dawson said the Leitzells both claim they were handcuffed, then
beaten in a police paddy wagon by Palestra and officers James
Lundie, Mark Holtzman and J.L. Pero. David Leitzell accused the
officers of spraying him in the face with Mace and using a stun gun
on his back, which caused burns between his shoulder blades.
   Dawson said Leitzell was taken to McKeesport Hospital while in
custody and sought treatment two days later at another hospital.
   Dawson said Eric Leitzell suffered facial injuries and a clearly
visible black eye when he was photographed at the police station
while being booked for criminal mischief. The suit said David
Leitzell suffered a concussion.
   McKeesport Police Chief Don Kochman said the department and the
officers would not comment on the suit.