Funeral services held for elderly Latino man Jumped by Blue Island police

Funeral services were held for an elderly suburban man who died after a run-in with police. Antonio Manrique, 74, died days after being tackled by a Blue Island police officer in what investigators call a case of mistaken identity. Manrique's death is leading to a call to action from community leaders who believe Hispanics are unfairly targeted by Blue Island police. Hundreds of people attended the ceremonies for Manrique. "It is a total shock. We're friends of the family and here in support of them and our deepest sympathy," said Carol Kozlowski, Blue Island Resident. Almost 40 percent of the city's population is Hispanic. The Latino community is outraged by the murder. Hundreds showed up on Tuesday night for a city council meeting to express their frustrations. Residents claimed they are frequently mistreated by police and city employees. "I feel bad about it. Something definitely needs to get done. Too many people are being mistreated by the department," said Aurora Alaya, Blue Island resident.The encounter one week ago sparked protests and exposed the raw anger that exists against police in this small south suburb. On Friday, hundreds of people filled Saint Benedict Catholic Church to remember a quiet family man. Many here say Manrique's death shook the town to its core. [more ] and [more ]

Autopsy shows man who died in police custody was high on cocaine

The medical examiner has released a report on the death of a 26-year-old man who died in police custody. Kenny Jefferson died in August, following his arrest on Chesapeake Boulevard, where he was punching out car windows. Officers tied his wrists and ankles together while subduing him. Minutes later, Jefferson stopped breathing. The autopsy showed that Jefferson was high on cocaine, and that caused his heart to stop beating. The report indicates police officers played no role in his death. The final report determined Jefferson's cause of death to be Cardiac Arrhythmia due to Acute Agitated Cocaine Delirium. The report indicates that neither positional asphyxia nor the use of pepper spray were contributing factors in Jefferson's death. [more ]

MD Officer cleared in shooting of African Man

A Montgomery County grand jury has cleared a police officer of criminal wrongdoing in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Adelphi man in July, authorities said yesterday.  Candice Marchone, a member of the Montgomery police force for seven years, shot and killed Peter A. Njang outside an apartment complex in White Oak on Aug. 12. A grand jury on Thursday determined that the shooting was justified, ending potential criminal prosecution of Marchone, said Montgomery State's Attorney Douglas F. Gansler.[more ]

2 NYC Metro Police officers charged in beating of homeless Black man

Two Metropolitan Transportation Authority police officers have been indicted in connection with the beating of a homeless man they threw out of Penn Station. Prosecutors said they have videotape of the incident.  Sgt. Joseph Camean, 32, and Officer Michael Koenig, 34, pleaded not guilty Tuesday when they were arraigned in Manhattan's state Supreme Court. Justice Michael R. Ambrecht released both without bail and told them to return to court Nov. 18.  Assistant District Attorney Andrew Heffner said Camean and Koenig ejected Maurice Cherry, 35, from Penn Station around 3 a.m. on Jan. 18, 2004. He said Cherry mouthed off to Koenig, who hit him in the head with a metal baton.  "There was absolutely no justification for this assault, according to witnesses," Heffner said. "He (Cherry) went into the fetal position when Koening was hitting him," the prosecutor said. "There is videotape evidence in this case." Witnesses reported the incident to Amtrak police, who told both Camean and the MTA, Heffner said. He said the MTA told its police internal affairs bureau, which investigated along with the district attorney's office. The officers were arrested in August.  Koening, on the force for four years, was charged with second-degree assault, falsifying business records and official misconduct. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of assault, the indictment's top count. [more ]

More than 1,300 gather in Blue Island to protest 75 Year Old Latino man's Death

Antonio Manrique Beaten by Cops
Although hundreds of people were crowded in the room, no one uttered a sound Tuesday night as Priscilla Martinez made her tearful plea for justice. "This guy that did this took my grandfather, and I'm never going to see him again," the 18-year-old said. "Something should be done." Her grandfather, 74-year-old Antonio Manrique, died Sunday afternoon at St. Francis Hospital in Blue Island, days after he was tackled to the ground by a Blue Island police officer in what police are calling a case of mistaken identity. On Tuesday nearly 300 people -- mostly Hispanic -- crammed into Blue Island City Hall to shout, cry and voice their frustration with the situation, and what they said is an ongoing problem of discrimination against Hispanics in the city. Meanwhile, outside city hall more than 1,000 people gathered and shouted in protest of Manrique's death. "Justice for Manrique! Justice for Manrique!" the crowd chanted as they stared down Blue Island, Calumet Park, Robbins, Midlothian and Cook County sheriff's police who blocked Vermont Street at Western and Greenwood avenues. [more ]

• Blue Island mayor asks for federal help toquell racial problems between Hispanics and Police [more ]
• Elderly Latino Man Beaten by Police Dies [more]

Chinese Woman Beat Down by Homeland Security Officer Suing US for $10 Million

A Chinese businesswoman plans to sue the U-S Department of Homeland Security for 10 (m) million dollars. She claims a Customs and Border Patrol officer beat her at the U-S-Canadian border over the summer. Zhao Yan's New York City attorney, Stanley Legan, says he has filed a notice of claim for his client, the first legal step toward a civil lawsuit. Zhao had earlier indicated she would sue for five (m) million dollars following the alleged assault at the Rainbow Bridge linking Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, on July 21st. Officer Robert Rhodes has been criminally charged with violating Zhao's civil rights. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The legal filing claims Zhao was subjected to assault, battery, false arrest, and excessive use of force, among other things. [more ]

• US border guard indicted for beating down Chinese businesswoman. [more]
• Beating incident solidifies Chinese view of ugly America [more]

Black Teen in Police Beating case will not talk with Police Investigators

An investigation into the actions of an officer accused of beating a 15-year-old boy could take longer than expected because the teen and his family have refused to speak to investigators, city officials said. Don Pennington Jr., 15, alleged last month that Officer Louis Picicco beat him while he was in police custody on Aug. 28. Picicco was placed on paid administrative leave Sept. 10 until the investigation is complete. The teen, accused of two counts of battery against a police officer, is scheduled to appear today in juvenile court for a status hearing. His mother said she just wants to put the entire incident behind her and until then is under advisement from attorneys who are representing the family in both the criminal case and the federal civil rights lawsuit against the police department. "He's not talking to the state's attorney's office because they are prosecuting him," said Vicki Pennington, the boy's mother. Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush said she believes the city prosecutor, not the state's attorney, is prosecuting the boy. In truth, the city, through its Police Department, can only ask the state's attorney's office to approve charges. Once approved, state's attorneys are the prosecutors in the case, not city prosecutors or police.After being arested for violating  the city's jaywalking ordinance the teen alleged he was brutally beaten by police. [more ]

•  Black Teen Beaten by Police: Stopped for Jaywalking [more]

Man Killed by Police was Trying to Break up Fight, says Brother

It was a misunderstanding. That's what the family of Ricky Camat says. Just four years ago, Camat became a millionaire playing the lottery. On Sunday a Seattle police officer shot and killed the 32-year-old. Camat's family says Ricky was trying to break up a fight outside a Pioneer Square bar. They say he pulled his gun and fired it in the air to disperse the crowd. His brother Brian Camat told KOMO 4 News what happened. "He shot one time in the air, he didn't point at no one, just one time in the air. He was freaked out there was all these guys he just wanted everyone to flee the scene." Moments later he was dead. "They (police) didn't tell him to freeze they didn't tell him to drop his weapon, he shot him as he was running back to the car," said Brian. But Seattle police say 10 witnesses back their version of the story. They insist that Ricky Camat refused to drop his gun and even pointed it at the officers. "The officers repeatedly ordered the subject to drop his weapon, we have several citizens that told us that and the subject refused to comply with their request," said Assistant Police Chief Cynthia Miller. [more ] and [more ]

Miami Officer Involved in Beating Death of Black Teen Now Wants to be Attorney

Bar Application Raises Rehabilitation Issues
It's been 25 years since William Hanlon and five other Miami-Dade County police officers were arrested in the beating death of Arthur McDuffie, a black insurance agent who tried to speed away on his motorcycle during a routine traffic stop in Miami. Four of the officers, but not Hanlon, were charged with manslaughter, accused of bludgeoning McDuffie with flashlights after he'd been wrestled to the ground and handcuffed. The officers, who were Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites, allegedly tried to cover up the crime by making it look like an accident. Despite Hanlon's testimony against his former colleagues, an all-white Tampa jury acquitted the four officers in 1980. That sparked three days of rioting in Miami's black Liberty City area. Eighteen people died in the riots, and more than 400 were injured. Hanlon, now 51, would like to put his past behind him. No longer a police officer, he graduated from Nova Southeastern University's law school in May 2001, has passed the bar exam and is seeking admission to The Florida Bar.[more ]

Louisville Mayor backs police chief's decision to Fire Officer who Killed Newby

 At the urging of civil-rights activists, Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson again endorsed Metro Police Chief Robert White's decision to fire former detective McKenzie Mattingly after a fatal shooting. "I support the chief's findings and the (internal) investigation that took place," Abramson said yesterday after meeting with about two dozen activists and the family of the dead man, Michael Newby. "I have said it every time I have been asked." The mayor said the Jefferson County attorney's office will represent the city and strongly argue that the police merit board reject Mattingly's request to be reinstated as a detective. White fired Mattingly in April after the chief said an internal investigation had found the officer did not face an "immediate threat" and had other options besides shooting Newby. The merit board is expected to consider hearing dates today, said attorney Mark Miller, who has represented Mattingly in administrative proceedings since the former detective fatally shot Newby, 19, during an undercover drug deal Jan.3. [more ]

•  The merit board decided yesterday to hear his appeal on Dec. 14 and 15, and Jan. 13, 14 and 18.  [more ]