Syracuse Man Files Suit Against City Police For Brutality After Calling Them For Help
A Syracuse man is suing city police, claiming officers brutalized him after he called 911 to break up a dispute outside his residence.
What Happened In Syracuse?
Syracuse.com writes:
Alonzo Grant returned home from work at 7:30 p.m. one Saturday night. He found his adult daughter in a verbal argument with a woman who lived nearby. Things escalated, so he called police to calm things down, his lawyer said.
But by the time police arrived, his daughter had left. Grant told an officer the dispute was over, then walked back into his house, said Syracuse lawyer Jesse Ryder.
The officer entered the residence, the police abuse lawyer said, and told Grant to go outside and talk to another officer.
As Grant walked down the front steps, he claims the officer charged him without warning, grabbed him in a bear hug and flung him over a railing before putting him in a chokehold as another officer struck him repeatedly with his fist.
Grant, 53, of 105 Hudson St., suffered a concussion, broken nose and cut lip in the June 28 incident at his residence, said Charles Bonner, a San Francisco-area civil rights attorney also working on his behalf. The incident left Grant traumatized.
He was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and harassing and annoying police. He spent a night in the county jail for what Bonner says were “false” charges.
What Do His Lawyers Have To Say About The Incident?
Grant’s lawyers believe that police figured he was causing trouble and decided to subdue him. In fact, Grant was not part of the dispute and did not resist in any way, his lawyers said.
Bonner called on Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick to dismiss the charges against Grant. The case was adjourned today in City Court so the DA’s office could decide how to proceed. Prosecutors declined to comment.
Grant is a 30-year employee of St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center who works seven days a week and has been married for the past 28 years. He has no criminal record, his lawyers said.
If you feel you have been a victim of police misconduct, please feel free to contact the Law Offices of Michael S. Lamonsoff, PLLC. Our team of experienced lawyers is here to help you.
Contact us by e-mail or call one of our attorneys at 212-962-1020 (toll-free at 877-MSL-4LAW or 877-675-4529) to schedule a free initial consultation.