New Haven, Conn., police officer Luis Rivera, 40, and 4 of his fellow officers pleaded not responsible Wednesday, to misdemeanor prices in reference to the paralysis of suspect Richard Cox in June. File Photograph courtesy of Connecticut State Police
Jan. 11 (UPI) — 5 Connecticut cops pleaded not responsible Wednesday morning to their roles in connection to the paralysis of a Black man whereas of their custody.
Legal professionals for the 4 present and one newly retired officers entered the pleas in Judicial District Superior Court docket in New Haven, Conn.
The 5 face misdemeanor prices stemming from the incident that left Richard ”Randy” Cox paralyzed whereas in police custody.
New Haven Police Division Officer Luis Rivera, Officer Jocelyn Lavandier, Officer Ronald Pressley, Sgt. Betsy Segui and Officer Oscar Diaz every pleaded not responsible to at least one rely of second-degree reckless endangerment and one rely of cruelty to individuals.
Cox, 36, was arrested on June 19 on accusations of unlawful possession of a handgun and different prices. Whereas being transported to jail behind a police van that lacked seatbelts, a handcuffed Cox suffered severe backbone and neck accidents when he was thrown headfirst into the metallic partition contained in the car because of the driving force making a sudden cease.
Diaz was driving the van that day and utilized the brakes sharply to keep away from crashing into one other car, in response to court docket filings.
After asserting his accidents on arrival on the detention facility, the officers first tried to maneuver him by way of wheelchair earlier than dragging him into the constructing.
Video of the incident reveals the seemingly exasperated officers roughly deal with the injured Cox whereas making remarks that their detainee was being troublesome by resisting to maneuver. Close to the top of the recording, one of many officers states they noticed Cox blow a kiss as he was being dragged by his arms right into a cell.
Cox filed a $100 million lawsuit in opposition to the town and the 5 cops in September, which was adopted the following month by the costs in opposition to him being dropped.
All 5 officers have been on administrative go away because the incident, whereas Pressley formally retired Saturday.
The 5 voluntarily surrendered to the Connecticut State Police and posted a $25,000 bond.
They’re scheduled return to court docket on Feb. 23 for the following pre-trial listening to.
Whether you’re re-packing those suitcases to head home or just getting your things together now for a vacation, the holiday travel rush on the road and in the air is on.
“We flew in on the 23rd really early. Way too early,” said Chase Blackstone, before catching his return flight at Bradley International Airport.
After spending Christmas in Connecticut, Blackstone was heading back home to Mansfield, Ohio. So was his mother, who is a flight attendant for United, and she knows just how busy it has been at the airport.
“The crowds, the lines, people’s tempers are insane. It’s stressful,” said Lisa Blackstone.
Others were just starting their holiday trips on Friday.
“Orlando. We’re going to Disney,” said Christina LaFortune, of Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
According to the TSA, Friday is one of their busiest travel days of the year. Airport officials at Bradley say they expect to see a steady number of travelers over the next few days.
It’s a similar story for people traveling by car. AAA says these are the best times to hit the road this weekend:
“Right now, we’re heading to Virginia then down to myrtle beach then down to Florida,” said Allison Dickson of Coventry, Rhode Island.
Another family was also making their way to Virginia.
“Our oldest daughter brought her grandkids to our house for Christmas, and now we’re driving to see the other grandkids,” said George Stelljes of Westport, Massachusetts.
It’s a 12-hour drive for him, but he doesn’t seem to mind as he gets to continue the holiday fun.
“We got all the gifts and Santa is in the back of our car,” said Stelljes.
If you’re hitting the road, says these are the busiest times to hit the road this weekend:
TSA is also preparing for large crowds at airports on Monday, Dec. 30.
A person was found dead inside of a barn after it caught fire in Branford Thursday night.
The fire department said they responded to a barn fire on North Ivy Street just before 6:30 p.m.
Firefighters found a barn-style shed fully engulfed in flames, spreading to a nearby building.
A person was reported missing and was ultimately found dead inside of the barn, according to fire officials. Their identity is unknown at this time.
The Branford Fire Marshal, Branford police and the Connecticut State Police Fire Investigation Unit are investigating.
Crews said they were able to contain the fire quickly. No additional information was immediately available.
Patch PM CT brings you breaking and trending news stories from all across Connecticut each weeknight. Here are the top stories from across the entire state:
A pedestrian was killed after being struck by one vehicle, and police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who injured another over Christmas in the same town.>>>Read More.
Police said the shooting, which happened early Christmas morning, shut down the highway for several hours.>>>Read More.
A man is accused of stealing an acquaintance’s dog then killing it and dismembering its body, according to police.>>>Read More.
A man was shot and killed after an argument on Christmas Eve, according to police.>>>Read More.
Residents really have an excuse now to flick, er, pick the town manager’s brain.>>>Read More.
Whether you’re looking to let off some steam, or quietly reflect how you made it this far, CT has you covered this weekend.>>>Read More.
Other top stories:
The Patch community platform serves communities all across Connecticut. Thank you for reading.
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