According to a recent article Jury Awards Montville Grandfather $50,000 in Damages in Excessive Force Suit Against New London Police, Robert D. Crawford intervened after a fight broke out at a New London High School basketball game. Mr. Crawford, who was 64 at the time of incident, held one of players to the ground until police arrived on the scene. Crawford claims that when police arrived, he was pushed against a wall, put in a strong hold, and forced to the ground. As a result, Mr. Crawford suffered a fractured tooth and dislocated his jaw. Police charged Mr. Crawford with third-degree assault, interfering with an officer and risk of injury to minor.
Police claim Mr. Crawford was verbally confrontational and tensed up, pushing himself off the wall during his scuffle with police. Video footage shows Mr. Crawford facing the wall and falling backward to the ground. There was no audio on the recording that was provided in court.
In a complaint against New London police, Crawford filed a claim for excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, assault and battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Ultimately, a jury decided only on the issues of excessive force and failure to intervene. Earlier this week, the jury cleared six of the seven officers named in the suit and ruled that the remaining officer did in fact use excessive force, awarding Mr. Crawford $50,000 in damages.
If you or someone you know thinks they have experienced false arrest and/or malicious prosecution, the team at Radford & Keebaugh can help. Contact us by phone at (678) 369-3609.