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.