PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh police officer has denied threatening to blow the head off a woman pulled over in a traffic stop.

A city investigation cleared Officer Eric Tatusko of allegations that he threatened 37-year-old Pamela Lawton in August 2006 after stopping her for having an expired inspection sticker.

Lawton is on trial in Allegheny County for disorderly conduct and traffic offenses. She is backed by civil rights groups who say the incident occurred because she is black and Tatusko is white. A witness also says he heard Tatusko yell the threat.

Tatusko testified he didn't threaten Lawton, but did pull his gun when she reached for her purse. Tatusko says he didn't point the gun at Lawton.