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After Arrest, Rapper Blasts A Beat Down
by Thomas MacMillan | Jun 16, 2010 11:58 am
(43) Comments | Commenting has been closed | E-mail the Author
Posted to: Legal Writes, Morris Cove
When Joe Gr8 kicks his next rhyme, he could rap about the time the police broke his nose and he sat for four hours in lock-up with Taser prongs stuck in his rear.
That’s what Joe Becton, whose MC name is Joe Gr8, said happened on June 2.
The Norwich-based rapper (pictured) said he was meeting up with his cousin in New Haven to work on his mix tape when police tased him, arrested him, and crushed his nose. Later, at the police station, Becton found taser prongs still stuck in his body. It took four hours before guards removed them, he said.
Police told a different story about what happened in a parking lot on Woodward Avenue on the evening of June 2. After he was found in a “suspicious” vehicle, Becton assaulted officers, then ran away and tried to conceal evidence, according to a police report. Police said they found a blunt in his car and bag of pot he was trying to hide.
Becton, who’s 26, was arrested for trespassing, drug possession, and interfering with police. He’s due in court on June 24 to answer to those charges.
In an interview this week in the office of his attorney, civil rights lawyer Mike Jefferson, Becton gave his side of the story. Jefferson said Becton’s is one of several cases he’s received lately in which New Haven police have overreacted during routine stops of African-Americans.
Here’s what happened on June 2, according to Becton:
“I was coming from Norwich,” Becton said. He travels to New Haven nearly every week to visit his cousin at his condominium in a complex at 24 Woodward Ave. in the Morris Cove neighborhood. He and his cousin are working on Becton’s mixtape, which will showcase his rapping.
Becton pulled up to the complex, parking in his usual visitor spot, and waited for his cousin to get home. He was eating a burrito that he’d picked up on the way to New Haven and listening to the instrumental track that he was planning to rap over.
He was parked for less than ten minutes when a police car pulled up and an officer appeared at his window.
“What are you doing here?” Becton recalled the officer asking. “You don’t belong here. You’re trespassing.”
Becton told the cop he was waiting for his cousin. He told him which unit his cousin lives in. “I come here every week,” he said.
He asked the officer if he wanted to see his ID. The officer said no. Becton said he repeatedly offered to show ID and was rebuffed.
The officer ordered Becton out of the car and started asking him where the drugs and guns were.
“I’m complying the whole time,” Becton recalled.
Three other police cars showed up. A plainclothes officer took over and began trying to antagonize Becton, he said. Becton said he started to get nervous, because the police didn’t seem to want his ID. What did they want? he wondered. He was in a secluded spot; he worried the police might be able to abuse him without being seen.
Becton works on surveillance for the Foxwoods casino. He said he knows the importance of being where cameras can see you. “I thought they were going to beat my ass,” he said.
Becton said he just answered questions. “I’m a good kid,” he told the cops. “I’ve never had a record or anything.”
The state judicial website has no convictions listed for Joseph Becton.
Becton had his hands on the car. He felt hands on him and a pain in his lower back or rear end. “I did a shake” when he felt that, he said. All of a sudden, the police were all over him. He saw an opening and bolted.
Becton said he was just trying to get to a less secluded area, where more people might be watching. He said he ran only a few yards, then stopped. He was struck twice in the neck by Tasers and fell to the ground. The plainclothes cop jumped on him and started kneeing him in the face, saying “I hate drug dealers,” Becton said. After three blows, Becton felt a pop. The cop kept going for four more strikes to his face, until Becton pleaded for him to stop.
At this point, Becton was going in and out of consciousness. Police put him in the back of a cruiser and called an ambulance. Upon seeing his face, the EMT said, according to Becton, “Oh my god, did you get in a fight?”
“He slipped and fell,” replied the plainclothes officer, according to Becton.
Becton was later transferred to a wagon. He said that while he was sitting by the door, he heard an officer say, “Let’s say this kid threw something in the woods.”
“I didn’t see the kid throw anything in the woods,” another officer allegedly replied.
At the police station, Becton noticed a funny feeling in his rear. He tried to pull down his shorts, but they were stuck. He twisted around and saw Taser prongs stuck through his shorts into his behind. He called the guard and tried to get help. It was four hours before a group of officers eventually removed the prongs, he said.
Becton said he must have been tased in his rear when he was standing with his hands on his car. In that case, the tasing was completely unprovoked, he said.
Becton admitted that he had some pot. “Yes I had some in the car,” he said.
Nevertheless, he said he thinks the police response was over the top. He visited Yale-New Haven Hospital after he got out of jail and was told his nose had been broken.
One of the officers involved, Dennis O’Connell, has been accused of police brutality in the past. That case is still open in federal court.
“I was complying the whole time,” said Becton, describing the events of June 2.
That’s his version. Here’s the official police version, according to a report prepared by Officer Roy Davis:
Davis was dispatched to 24 Woodward Ave. on a report that a suspicious vehicle had been parked in the lot for half an hour. Davis found a silver Dodge Intrepid with tinted windows parked in the last spot on the left parking lot. Through the windshield, he saw Becton in the driver’s seat with his hands in his lap. As he approached the driver’s side window, he saw Becton trying to push something down between the seat and the door. Becton was “frantically pushing money onto the floor from his lap.”
Davis asked Becton what he was doing. Becton was unable to give the number of his cousin’s apartment.
Davis asked Becton for his insurance and registration. Becton said his license was in the back and began again reaching between the seat and the door. Davis saw him pushing “a green plant like substance” under his seat. Davis opened the door and asked Becton to step out.
Becton stepped out. When Davis asked him to put his hands on the car, Becton grabbed the pocket of his shorts. Davis grabbed his arm. Becton turned and allegedly pushed him and then tried to grab him. As Officer O’Connell and Sgt. Dennis Burgh arrived, Becton had begun punching Davis. O’Connell and Burgh pulled Becton off Davis. Becton allegedly punched O’Connell in the crotch and started running toward Fort Nathan Hale Park.
Davis chased after Becton, ordering him to stop. Becton, still running, reached into his shorts and began to turn back toward Davis. Davis pulled out his Taser X-26 and deployed two prongs into Becton’s back. Becton fell, but then started to get up. He refused to drop what he had in his hands. Davis tased him again.
O’Connell and Burgh arrived and grappled with Becton. O’Connell tased him. Finally, they got him cuffed and lifted him off the ground, revealing a baggy of marijuana underneath him.
An EMT arrived and removed the Taser prongs and treated Becton’s injuries.
Davis found $13 on the floor of Becton’s car and a blunt between the driver’s seat and the door.
Officers Davis and O’Connell reported they suffered back injuries during their struggles with Becton.
On Tuesday, the supervisor at police lock-up said she couldn’t comment on Becton’s allegations about Taser prongs in his rear for several hours. Her boss was not available for comment by press time.
Contacted by phone, Morris Cove top cop Lt. Jeff Hoffman said, “As much as I’d like to comment, I can’t comment on any pending litigation.”
“The police are abusing their power,” argued attorney Jefferson (pictured). “I think they feel quite comfortable doing it.”
Jefferson cited a number of recent cases that have been referred to his office. All of them involve African-American men and women who say police have been antagonistic, cursed at them, and been excessively aggressive. In each case, routine interactions have turned into angry and sometimes violent incidents. Such behavior has been going on for years, said Jefferson.
“These things start at the top,” he said. “The police are not held accountable.”
Police reports in some of the instances claim, as in the Becton case, that the defendants interfered with their ability to do their job and provoked confrontations.
“We all know police embellish and flat-out lie,” Jefferson responded.
Post a Comment
Comments
posted by: Lambshank on June 16, 2010 12:50pm
Your kidding me? Who would believe this guys story? ...
posted by: Concerned Citizen on June 16, 2010 1:43pm
While I have no idea if this young man was doing anything that warranted his being tasered, etc, I know from experience that some NH police officers are particularly hostile and aggressive to blacks, and in particular to young black men. I also know for a fact that many police officers LIE consistently and repeatedly. Some of them are also cruel. It is difficult to tell your children to respect the police when the behavior of many police officers makes it impossible for citizens to show them real respect, or to trust them.
In visiting the Morris Cove and East Haven areas black people need to be extremely careful; they are regarded with grave suspicion. Walking into a Rite Aid pharmacy in East Haven recently was quite an experience. There were no black people anywhere to be seen. The all-white employees were talking and laughing with each other and with white patrons. Then a black person walked it and immediately glances were being flashed around and three employees moved from where they were and started to monitor the movements of the only black person in the store. It was so obvious; the person walked out without buying anything. Had I not witnessed it, I would have had difficulty believing that it happened.
Anyone who believes that profiling and police brutality against blacks are things of the past are sadly mistaken. While there are honest, law-abiding and decent police officers in NH and elsewhere, there are far too many bigoted, lying, dishonest cops, and they make it bad for all (citizens and police). The NHPD as well as EHPD need to be purged.
Sadly, but realistically, black people must continue to live defensively. Young black men need to know that although justice is not guaranteed in the US, they must strive to live a life that is above reproach, and as this young man said he did - try to be in sight of a video camera. Society NEEDS to recognize that having to live like this has a price; regardless of our color we all pay for it.
posted by: nfjanette on June 16, 2010 1:55pm
After Arrest, Rapper Blasts A Beat Down
The headline would be more accurately worded: “...Rapper blasts an alleged beat down”
Installation of high quality video recording equipment on city police vehicles should be a priority item. Let the video )(and audio) reveal the truth in these incidents.
posted by: Terryandgirls on June 16, 2010 1:57pm
His side, the other side… and the truth lies somewhere in between.
posted by: juli on June 16, 2010 2:32pm
lambshank,
you could just as easily ask who wouldn’t believe his story.
why is he automatically a lying criminal? because he raps? because he is black? because he was visiting a certain area at night?
have you been reading about the unacceptable behavior of new haven police officers lately?
i completely agree with nfjanette. we need a video record of exchanges between officers and citizens.
posted by: stopcrying on June 16, 2010 2:34pm
Hey concerned citizen it had nothing to do with race. Since I don’t know and you don’t know what police go through maybe you shouldnt be quick to judge these officers. I may not be a cop but if i was and someone was reaching for something and i couldn’t see then i think that would raise my concerned about what he is reaching for. And if he had nothing to hide why run. I am so sick of people crying racism every-time something doesn’t go there way….
posted by: Guilt by association on June 16, 2010 2:35pm
O’Connell has a history of ... documented police brutality cases ...
I don’t know much about Burgh except that he’s an old school cop (35+ years on the force) who once took down a couple of anti-semitic bullies (who were much bigger than he) with no problem. So they’re both tough ...
Davis is the new guy. He’s proven himself a little. He’s got some “street smarts” according to his Cop of the Week profile. But doesn’t it seem all too likely that he got to take an extra-credit course on that night. Could it be, his “teachers” saw a little glimmer of hope in him? Maybe, they thought, there still is a chance for this next generation of cops, they just need a little lesson on how we used to do things. And what better place to stage this lesson than in the East Shore, the final bastion of “Old New Haven.”
Welcome to the club, Roy.
posted by: Morris Cove Mom on June 16, 2010 3:18pm
While I doubt that he is a perfect angel, I believe this young man probably did nothing, or very little, wrong.
I live a few blocks away from 24 Woodward, and used to live on Woodward a few years ago.
The only place I see any people of color is at Nathan Hale School, my child’s school. This close-knit community is mostly white Italian and Irish, and seem to have the old school belief that blacks and Hispanics don’t belong in “their” neighborhood.
Little do they know I am Hispanic, with a married Italian last name.
I can only hope that this incident is given a full investigation, as the more stories I hear, the less faith and respect I have for our NHPD.
posted by: Rick on June 16, 2010 3:36pm
First of all, Becton, will get his day in court. Attorney and their clients like to address the media and get their story out to anyone who will listen. Keep your mouth shut and save it for your day in court. ...
posted by: davec on June 16, 2010 3:41pm
Is his name borrowed from Joe Grate, the famous New Haven barbecue chef?
posted by: BL on June 16, 2010 3:52pm
It is appalling to how the police can abuse their power everyday and innocent people get hurt. This is exactly why some people would rather not call the police, even if they truly needed them!!
posted by: Joe T on June 16, 2010 4:01pm
I like how Bection’s version fails to mention the police found a blunt in his car and bag of pot. What else is he failing to mention??????
... Already, this Jefferson guy is mentioning African-American men and women statistics and getting ready to throw down the race card.
...
posted by: DKR on June 16, 2010 4:09pm
WOW!!!! looks like someone is trying to play the race card yet again,....since our general orders and dept policy is/are public knowledge i would advise this wannabe and his attorney to look at the one regarding the our use of the taser. if a suspect/person is struck with the taser,..then the officer “shall” call for medical personnel to respond to the scene to remove the prongs and or transport said person/suspect to an area hospital for removal. perhaps i should comment further????
posted by: bunker on June 16, 2010 4:12pm
That wasn’t just “some pot” according to the CT judicial site he was charged with possession of greater that 4 oz of a controlled substance, a felony. It takes ALOT of marijuana to get above 4 oz.
posted by: Heavy Dave on June 16, 2010 4:33pm
I’m sure this poor soul got TAZED and BEAT for nothing at all.
Mr. Gr8 must have been fully cooperative and assaulted by those thug cops for no reason. ...
posted by: 2Unique4U on June 16, 2010 4:46pm
Brothas & sistas gotta read Officer Shafiq Abdussabur’s book, “A Black Man’s Guide to Law Enforcement in America.” See this link from 7/23/2009 New Haven Advocate:
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=12A50C7066959040&p_docnum=1&s_dlid=DL0110061620422830742&s_ecproduct=SUB-FREE&s_ecprodtype=INSTANT&s_trackval=&s_siteloc=&s_referrer=&s_subterm=Subscription until: 12/14/2015 11:59 PM&s_docsbal= &s_subexpires=12/14/2015 11:59 PM&s_docstart=&s_docsleft=&s_docsread=&s_username=freeuser&s_accountid=AC0107071613143204025&s_upgradeable=no
posted by: Dennis' Biggest Fan on June 16, 2010 4:53pm
What a preposterous story. How in the world could anyone believe this kids story. Simple fact is: If you fight with the Police, you’re going to get hurt. If you run from the Police, you’re going to get hurt and goto jail tired. If you’re innocent as you say you are, COMPLY!
posted by: where are the witnesses on June 16, 2010 6:00pm
rumor is that evening there were several witnesses of the incident, why haven’t they taken their civil duty to step up and explain what they saw, or is it that once the police haven taken care of their issue, it dosen’t matter what happens after the fact? guess the police will have to now observe the crime, the suspect and the so called victims….
posted by: Tamarah on June 16, 2010 6:35pm
Its hard to believe that the police were called to identify a suspicious vehicle that is consistantly in that parking lot, also that he couldnt identify the number to his families apt that he is there on a regular basis.
Also, they chase him stating that he wouldnt drop what was in his hand? Really? If he had anything on him, why would he bring it with him running instead of stashing it like he supposedly did in the car?
In the end they are claiming he had marijuana on him, and if that was the case…a bag and $13? Are they kidding? Was all that really necassary? He has no prior convictions or allegations unlike one of the officers accused….a little hard to swallow.
Lets hope that people see this for what it really is and let us as a people start taking steps to rectify this problem and correcting the injustices done by those who are supposed to be serving towards justice
posted by: 24 Woodward Resident on June 16, 2010 8:06pm
This is a sad sad story of a young mans rights being violated. This man obviously does not have a record so to say he assaulted a police officer is very unbelievable! Anyone that knows this man knows that he would not hurt a fly! He left this incident with a broken nose, two taser holes in the back of his neck and one in his ... . Is this Justice? The police found a blunt in his car. Quite honestly if a blunt is enough ammo for an officer to almost kill you, what are judges and the court system for?
Another thing, is it even safe to Taser someone in the back of the neck? Isn’t that close to his brain? It doesn’t make sense! Here is a well respected man that makes a living securing a multimillion dollar business simply being violated. The police messed up! They beat up a good Guy! I’m sure there isn’t a person who knows him that would say otherwise. So if they were multiple cops on the scene, hopefully this got caught on tape! I bet Not!!
posted by: WTF on June 16, 2010 8:29pm
Joe T ...The kid admitted he had a bag of pot, a misdemeanor crime. Give him a ticket to court and let him face the judge.
Blunts are not illegal that is just the name brand of a cigar.
Black man sitting in a parking lot for ten minutes to a half hour, suspicious activity? I guess so when it’s in a predominantly white neighborhood. That caller got great response dispatch from the police for a low priority call.
What are you doing here. Waiting for my cousin to get home. Step out of the car? Why was he ordered out of the car, because he shoved a “green plant like substance” under his seat…..That green plant like substance was nothing more than a cigar according to the officers report. Why didn’t the officer check to see what was shoved under the seat since he ordered the kid out of the car because of it.
The initial meeting nothing criminal occurred they could have told the kid to leave the parking lot and return when his cousin arrived at home. His rights were violated and the situation was escalated by some overzealous cops.
The officer said he tasered him a second time because he refused to drop what was in his hands? WTF it wasn’t a knife , it wasn’t a gun, no one’s life was in danger how is the second use of the taser justified? To drop a bag of weed?
Why didn’t they run his name, license plate etc once finding no criminal history they should have let the kid go. He obviously wasn’t selling since he only had $13 that he was supposedly trying to hide according to the police report. Who hides $13 from a cop? The broken nose is not mentioned in the report. “Ofc Odonnell and St. Burgh suffered back injuries” Wasn’t Davis being punched in the face when they arrived, why is there no mention of injuries to his face?... Old school cop practice should no longer be tolerated and Officer Davis should take this as a learning experience not to be a follower ...
posted by: Threefifths on June 16, 2010 8:47pm
: Dennis’ Biggest Fan on June 16, 2010 4:53pm
What a preposterous story. How in the world could anyone believe this kids story. Simple fact is: If you fight with the Police, you’re going to get hurt. If you run from the Police, you’re going to get hurt and goto jail tired. If you’re innocent as you say you are, COMPLY!
Yea Right.These people COMPLY! and look what happen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmJukcFzEX4&feature=related
And This guy is white and COMPLY.
posted by: Fair Haven Res on June 16, 2010 10:02pm
I live in Fair Haven and I have been observing the latest class of new rookies out on patrol with their training officers. What I have observed is disturbing.
Last week, on Thursday late morning I observed an woman officer, who had stopped an African American woman in a car on Blatchley Avenue, just in front of the New Columbus School. The driver was presenting a paper to the officer, when the officer just reached into the car and ripped it out of the driver’s hand, while another male officer was watching by the patrol car. I was heading south on Blatchley and stopped at in the line of traffic at the Grand - Blatchley intersection.
Such aggressive and disrespectful interactions will doing nothing but damage the relationship between the public and the police.
This is just the results of the Lewis’ decision to move away from community based policing.
As an aside, under no circumstances should a police officer swear at any member of the public, suspect or not. It shows a very low standard of professionalism and manifests a lack of control.
I have just purchased a flip video camera and will be using it in my neighborhood.
posted by: STOP The INSANITY on June 17, 2010 1:36am
Everyone should really look at these two videos. Even if someone has a record, the police are NOT entitled to beat up the person for no reason, and YES, race often is one of the strongest factors involved in police brutality. Look at these two videos provided to us courtesy of Threefifths.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmJukcFzEX4&feature=related
Some police officers are out of control.
posted by: Empty Fifth on June 17, 2010 6:50am
To Three Fifths, thank you for that video. Yes, I believe the truth lies between the two stories. But society should NEVER have to worry that the cops are even embellishing, let alone lying, but they do. They jump to the worst conclusions. It is a shame, but cops are not trustworthy. I learned that in New Haven. They overstate, exaggerate… how about the two back injuries… is that like their buddy with the wrist injury who tells his bosses he does not drive his yellow motorcycle? I have called on suspicious vehicles. A repeat car might get called on quicker, because you know what he is about to do. So these guys light up before they go to the studio, that’s not the problem… its that they do it right in public where kids and families and others who don’t want to smell it or think it might bring conflict to their community or have their Mom ask what the little ziplocs on the ground are from. Take your stuff behind your closed doors, go home and deal with your woman or your family who objects, don’t pollute my environment… and that does not mean your car on a public street or private parking lot.
posted by: Threefifths on June 17, 2010 9:42am
For all you nonbelievers of police Police brutality. Check this video out.And remember
they COMPLY! As you said to do Dennis’ Biggest Fan.
posted by: Matt on June 17, 2010 10:52am
Bunker—You need a refresher lesson on greater than/less than symbols. He was charged with 21a-279(c)* which is possession of LESS THAN 4 oz. It is only a felony because he was within range of a school, which one could argue is double jeopardy and therefore unconstitutional.
posted by: Middle Ground on June 17, 2010 11:45am
...To the rapper, I pray these charges don’t stick and you sue these officers personally. Also get help for your marijuana use, it is truly a gateway drug and should have no part in your life.
posted by: HewNaven?? on June 17, 2010 11:57am
This is how one community has chosen to respond to police brutality and corruption:
posted by: Ariane on June 17, 2010 12:25pm
This is the third time I have heard this story, and the second time I have seen it in print. Each reading gets worse than the one before. What can we do as citizens to challenge the police into believing that they do not have the right to abuse the people they are supposed to “protect and serve?” I am absolutely sick over this incident, and I have no respect left for the police force of New Haven, or any other city for that matter. I hope Joey knows that I am behind him no matter what. I wish him all the best.
posted by: A.B on June 17, 2010 2:02pm
This is completely BS. What the ‘F’? This story makes me sick to my stomach. We should be ashamed, if only because as humans we should not be treated like this, but let alone be stereotyped in this hurtful and oppressive manner. We are supposed to be so far from treatment like this towards our black citizens. If I were a cop I wouldn’t deem it acceptable to work alongside a person with the morality, or lack of, as these particular officers, or any of the others that we so sadly hear about.
Living in this neighborhood, I am appalled to be in any way associated with people of this caliber and think it completely unacceptable to have to witness something like this happen to a person. It is unfortunate that this young man was placed in this predicament in which certain statements in the police report are clearly bold faced lies.
I’m so sorry Joey and I hope that you and your family know that you have so many people behind you.
posted by: Please Read** on June 17, 2010 3:25pm
These New Haven Police are just as bad as the criminal Drug Deals they hate.. We all know that Drug Deals take the easy way to be “successful” by selling the poison and above shows that that these policemen have the same trait to be “successful” by selling poison(lies and embellishment)I really admire police you are dedicated to protect and serve by hard nose police work not just taking the easy way out, Lying and Embellishing. These police are trying to ruin this young man’s life just to cover up a lie. What a shameful way of life. I hope this complaint stays in their file and haunts them. To the rapper, I pray these charges don’t stick and you sue these officers personally. Also get help for your marijuana use, it is truly a gateway drug and should have no part in your life.
posted by: KFanti2 on June 17, 2010 4:40pm
I’m not surprised at this article. I know personally of police wrong doing. They feel safe in doing these things because most of the time they get away with them. People kill me when they comment about people using the race card. They act as if we live in a color blind society which is far from the case. If this society had to pay for all the wrong doing done by the police since the turn of century before last, it would be more bankrupt than it is. This society has gotten away with murders, rapes, larceny, robbery, grand theft and many other crimes against people of color and no power.
It would be wonderful if we could put the past horrors behind us, but the same things keep happening that keep them in focus. Some things change, but others somehow remain the same.
How is the future going to be better for our children if these kind of things keep going on.
I know there are all kinds of people out there that are committed to stopping injustices of all sorts. I guess I have hope for the future because of people like this.
posted by: why did he run on June 18, 2010 11:42am
What I do not understand is everyone who is coming to this kid side, is not saying anything on why he ran from the police. What I don’t understand is if your not doing anything wrong and have nothing to hide why run from the police? It is a simple question. I had many encounters with the police both bad and good and not once have I ever thought about running from the police. So if he is so innocent why did he run.
posted by: HewNaven?? on June 18, 2010 12:26pm
why did he run,
Please read the article more carefully. Becton’s rationale was made clear:
“A plainclothes officer took over and began trying to antagonize Becton, he said. Becton said he started to get nervous, because the police didn’t seem to want his ID. What did they want? he wondered. He was in a secluded spot; he worried the police might be able to abuse him without being seen.
Becton works on surveillance for the Foxwoods casino. He said he knows the importance of being where cameras can see you. “I thought they were going to beat my ass,” he said.”
Of course, none of this matter because the beating wasn’t caught on film and no one witnessed it. It’s the word of three cops versus that of one citizen. Who do you think will come out clean?
posted by: BL on June 18, 2010 12:32pm
Unfortunatley as a minority, you have to take certain percausions when dealing with the police! He ran maybe 7 feet to be in the middle of the parking lot so he could be seen and the police wouldn’t REALLY hurt him! It’s sad that we have to think that way, but that is the reality of the time we live in! These police practiced under the thinking of guilty until proven innocent! WE pay the officer’s salararies and they are supposed to work for US not against us! Maybe one day this will be different, but until then, people will not help police or call them for help as much as they should because of their abuse of the system!! Wake up people, no matter what color you are you can not pretend that there is 100% equality for all!!
posted by: ronaldgee on June 18, 2010 3:06pm
The fact of this matter is that Mr. Blanton committed a felony. According to the arrest record it was over 4 ounces of marijuana. He then runs from the police. He admitted to having marijuana and eluding arrest. In other words, he got caught. So what that he has a job and has never been arrested before? If he was of another race we would rightfully ask whether he was selling or buying, and that he should keep that crap in his own town. Mr. Blanton would not have had a busted nose and been tasered had used better decision making like following the law. Maybe the arresting cops abused their power. Maybe they are racist. This is all speculation. What we do know is that Mr. Blanton admittedly committed a crime, and the police responded as they should. Instead of cowering and using the race card, Mr. Blanton should stand up and be a man and accept the fact that his foolishness is what put him in the predicament that he is currently in.
posted by: HewNaven?? on June 18, 2010 3:49pm
“Maybe the arresting cops abused their power. Maybe they are racist. This is all speculation. What we do know is that Mr. Blanton admittedly committed a crime, and the police responded as they should.”
You’re right, ronaldgee. We shouldn’t speculate. We should just take the cop’s word as truth. There’s no incentive for a cop to lie. They “responded” exactly as honorable police men should, with intimidation and physical abuse.</sarcasm>
posted by: This is a joke... on June 18, 2010 8:09pm
Please understand that COPS are human.humans make mistakes. These cops made a mistake and now going to have to pay for it.
posted by: Citizen on June 21, 2010 8:40am
I’m a white guy and I recently went to New Haven to pick up a friend who lives in a bad section of town. I pulled up to her apartment and began looking for her (I had just talked to her by cell phone) and a cop drove up the street towards me, and blocked my car with his car! Like I was some major criminal. He got out (black officer) and screamed at me for being in a no-parking zone (I was, by accident) and did everything in his power to antagonise me, including making fun of my last name and mocking me by distorting the pronunciation of my name. I almost thought the guy was going to attack me. It was a real eye-opener.
If even 1/10th of Joe Becton’s story is true, its no wonder people hate and fear New Haven cops.
posted by: WHAT???????????? on June 21, 2010 10:36pm
I am very upset that this case is not on the WTNH? Why do we continue to accept this type of police work. New Haven need to change??? Would this happen to a Yale student that had a joint??
posted by: Morris Cove Groaner on June 22, 2010 9:59pm
Look it’s not a perfect world if it were I could take the locks from my door. The police dept. often isn’t perfect either. But there is something about a young man of ANY race that feels a chip on his shoulder belongs there. Whether it’s tinted windows, loud music or a wise comment he feels the need to act like a tough guy and push it as far as he can. Police given what they deal with on a daily basis don’t have the tolerance or sense humor
for this in a city with, HOW MANY FATAL SHOOTINGS this year? I had a chip for years but was smart enough to know my audience and
even as a 54 year old white male I shut the hell up when I’m talking to a cop. Only a few people know what really happened to this young man but all young people and the police have to take a breath before this type of thing or worse happens again. Men have to stop acting like boys!
posted by: beenthroughit on June 29, 2010 2:14pm
this man need to be strong in the face of adversity trust this could happen to anyone, so lets not be judge and jury, the facts will come out and as americans we are entitled to innocent until proven guilty…this is a challenge to the judicial system and i am pleased that he has a respectable attorney representing him however this type of thing goes on all the time regardless of class, race, gender or ethnicity it is about power and the fact that SOME police not all because there are alot of great cops but some choose to disrespect their authority and civil service to the community, if that is the case in this situation then these arent the type of cops we need in america
