Warden: Guards used excessive force against Sunset Park inmate (Video)
January 12, 2008
A security video of a 2006 incident at the federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park appeared to depict excessive use of force by jail guards trying to control a combative inmate, an assistant warden testified Thursday at a federal trial in Brooklyn.
Justin Andrews, who testified as a prosecution witness, was an assistant warden at the facility at the time of the incident on April 11, 2006. He told the jury that he also believed the video raised questions about the accuracy of written statements prepared by the officers involved.”It was in my opinion that the video depicted excessive use of force and did not support the memorandum [prepared by officers],” Andrews said under questioning by assistant U.S. attorney Robert Raddick.
After viewing the video and talking to his superiors, Andrews said he referred the matter to the inspector general and internal affairs offices for the Bureau of Prisons.
The video was played Wednesday for the jury in the case of five jail guards on trial before Judge Carol Amon for excessive use of force and allegations that some tried to cover up the incident. On Thursday, Amon authorized release of a copy of the video — which depicts the incident involving inmate Kenneth Howard — to Newsday and other newspapers. The video in evidence appeared to show a restrained Howard being shoved to the floor and kicked by a guard.
In memos submitted after the incident, a number of the guards said Howard initially assaulted and injured a guard and said “I am a cop killer, …” before he was wrestled to the floor of a cell and placed in hand restraints. Howard then got combative as he was taken to an elevator, according to the memorandum.
Via Newsday
Related Articles
- Corruption Trial of the State Assemblywoman Diane Gordon Closes
- Brooklyn DA’s No. 2 exiled after clash
- Judge Rejects Dismissing Indictment Against Senator
- Carl Andrews aide to Paterson Resigns Amidst SLA Scandal
- Barbara Donno Campaign Worker Suspened
Comment on this article
