Post by WaTcHeR on Jun 2, 2006 12:13:29 GMT -5
06.02.2006 - Police in Rutland are under fire Wednesday. They're accused of pulling a pillowcase over the head of a man last week who died an hour after being taken into custody.
"I'm just in shock, I can't believe they would do something like that to him," said Denise Martelle, who is still trying to come to terms with the death of her boyfriend of five years, Bob Reid. "He'd still be here if it wasn't for what happened."
On Friday evening, Reid broke a window on the door leading to his apartment because he forgot his keys.
Witnesses called police, and at the same time, Reid went upstairs and called 911 and hung up.
Three Rutland police officers responded from the station -- which is right across the street.
According to investigators, as officers were speaking with Reid upstairs, he punched one officer in the head and continued to fight. That same officer sprayed him with pepper spray before placing him in handcuffs. A fourth officer came to assist. Reid's legs were then restrained because, police said, he was kicking them and then he began spitting. Officers then placed a pillowcase over his head.
Officers brought him outside and drove him the 300 feet to the station. That's when they said they noticed he was having problems breathing and gave him CPR. He was pronounced dead at the hospital less than 50 minutes after they went to his apartment.
"I just don't think it was right. Those officers should definitely be investigated," said Martelle.
Rutland's police chief, Anthony Bossi, would only say that excessive force wasn't used.
"The preliminary autopsy report said there was no excessive use of force," Bossi said. "What we have to do now is wait until the state police finish their investigation."
Reid's girlfriend said he was taking medication for liver cancer. Vermont state police are still investigating and the state's attorney, along with the attorney general, will conduct a full review of their findings.
"I'm just in shock, I can't believe they would do something like that to him," said Denise Martelle, who is still trying to come to terms with the death of her boyfriend of five years, Bob Reid. "He'd still be here if it wasn't for what happened."
On Friday evening, Reid broke a window on the door leading to his apartment because he forgot his keys.
Witnesses called police, and at the same time, Reid went upstairs and called 911 and hung up.
Three Rutland police officers responded from the station -- which is right across the street.
According to investigators, as officers were speaking with Reid upstairs, he punched one officer in the head and continued to fight. That same officer sprayed him with pepper spray before placing him in handcuffs. A fourth officer came to assist. Reid's legs were then restrained because, police said, he was kicking them and then he began spitting. Officers then placed a pillowcase over his head.
Officers brought him outside and drove him the 300 feet to the station. That's when they said they noticed he was having problems breathing and gave him CPR. He was pronounced dead at the hospital less than 50 minutes after they went to his apartment.
"I just don't think it was right. Those officers should definitely be investigated," said Martelle.
Rutland's police chief, Anthony Bossi, would only say that excessive force wasn't used.
"The preliminary autopsy report said there was no excessive use of force," Bossi said. "What we have to do now is wait until the state police finish their investigation."
Reid's girlfriend said he was taking medication for liver cancer. Vermont state police are still investigating and the state's attorney, along with the attorney general, will conduct a full review of their findings.