Support NeoGAF

[Miles Quaritch]

So this happened. There's a video at the link.

An aspiring hip hop artist was beaten by NYPD cops throwing punches to his head and blows from a baton as he appeared to be meekly surrendering inside a Brooklyn grocery store, a shocking video shows.

Thomas Jennings, who suffered cuts above his eye, raised both hands in what appears to be a gesture of giving up just seconds before the onslaught began, the video shows.

“I didn’t ever know it was coming,” Jennings told the Daily News of the punches that required five stitches to close the wound.

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson’s office is investigating the cops’ use of force against him on July 7 in Bedford-Stuyvesant. The NYPD Internal Affairs Bureau is also reviewing the tape, a police spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Jennings’ lawyer said there was no justification for the pummeling.

“It’s horrendous what they did to him,” said lawyer Amy Rameau. “He had his hands up. He didn’t pose a threat to anyone in that store. It was an absolute use of excessive force.”

The chain of events that led to the brutal confrontation on the video began shortly before inside New York Fried Chicken on Saratoga Ave., according to court papers.

Jennings, 24, and another unidentified man became embroiled in a dispute with an employee over the price of two slices of pizza.

Jennings told The News that the price was $3 and he was a dollar short, so he stepped outside and borrowed money from someone to cover the tab.

The criminal complaint alleges the unidentified man pulled out a switchblade knife, told the employee that he wasn’t paying and both men fled with the pizza and salt-and-pepper shakers. The employee called 911 and reported the food joint had been robbed.

Cops tracked Jennings several blocks away to the Roslin grocery store on Bainbridge St. where the video camera behind the counter picks up the action.

Police Officer Lenny Lutchman is the first cop inside, brandishing a baton in his right hand and pushing Jennings in the chest with his outstretched left hand. There is no sound in the video.

Jennings raises both hands up, apparently surrendering. That’s when Officer Pearce Martinez runs up to Jennings, immediately launching three haymaker punches to the man’s head.

While Martinez is handcuffing Jennings without any difficulty, Lutchman is striking him with his baton and then drives Jennings head down into the counter with his elbow.

The criminal complaint said that Jennings was flailing his arms and resisted arrest in the store.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...s-beating-suspect-surrender-article-1.2299659

 

[Retrocide]

Jesus, he never makes one threatening move and they just pummeled him.

 

[Arkeband]

both men fled with the pizza and salt-and-pepper shakers

Who puts salt and pepper on pizza?

 

[SliceSabre]

Cops will get a commendation and he'll get paid a few hundred thousand for his injuries and the cycle of scumbag cops will continue.

 

[Indicate]

They were probably some of the cops that turned their backs on the mayor.

 

[NastyBook]

That fucking Boondocks season finale just keeps on getting eclipsed.

 

[Gr1mLock]

And absolutely nothing will be done about it.

 

[zewone]

Disgusting. That bald cop is a supreme prick.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

Do we have..all the facts?

 

[Africanus]

Let me just fast forward through this story.

Paid administrative leave.
Internal investigation.
Media coverage in defense of the police.
Quickly forgotten about.
Months pass.
No indictment.

Somewhere in there are the possible options of retiring with pension/ transferring.

 

[Gordon Shumway]

At least he wasn't murdered. I'm glad he's alive.

 

[Paskil]

Well, I suppose we should probably wait and see what happens. Seems pretty straightforward to me. Term the two officers and charge 'em.

Spoiler

He was obviously no angel.

 

[Sir Abacus]

STOP RESISTING! STOP RESISTING!

 

[BennyBlanco]

I mean, the guy is suspected of a knifepoint robbery. I can see why they would be so wary of him and wanting to get him restrained quickly. But why keep hitting him with his hands behind his back?

 

[USC-fan]

Really time to get rid of all police unions that protect these people.

 

[openrob]

I mean, the guy is suspected of a knifepoint robbery. I can see why they would be so wary of him and wanting to get him restrained quickly. But why keep hitting him with his hands behind his back?

I think you are forgetting that they wanted to beat the crap out of him. That much is obvious.

In no other civilised society would running up and punching a suspect be acceptable.

 

[RumblingRosco]

I'm batting 1.000 when it comes to guessing the skin color of cops/victims in these types of threads.

 

[fluffydelusions]

STOP RESISTING! STOP RESISTING!

Reminded me of this scene

 

[Indicate]

I mean, the guy is suspected of a knifepoint robbery. I can see why they would be so wary of him and wanting to get him restrained quickly. But why keep hitting him with his hands behind his back?

How about them hitting Thomas when his hands were up?

 

[Amentallica]

Who puts salt and pepper on pizza?

I do, including oregano, basil, parmesan, red pepper, and garlic.

 

[entremet]

Reminded me of this scene

Man oh man.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I'm batting 1.000 when it comes to guessing the skin color of cops/victims in these types of threads.

Unfortunately that's not a particularly difficult achievement.

 

[DarthWoo]

I guess we can add "complying while black" to the list?

 

[LQX]

Why the hell would you rob a pizza shop for $3 worth of Pizza? As petty as may be that is still jail time.

 

[Kinthalis]

Who puts salt and pepper on pizza?

Criminals!

 

[BennyBlanco]

I think you are forgetting that they wanted to beat the crap out of him. That much is obvious.

In no other civilised society would running up and punching a suspect be acceptable.

The first cop looked scared and like he wanted to just get the guy under control, the second cop rushed in and just started throwing haymakers out of nowhere. Then the first cop started taking pot shots when he was restrained.

Pretty bizarre incident all around.

 

[SaviorX]

Why the hell would you rob a pizza shop for $3 worth of Pizza? As petty as may be that is still jail time.

Why beat someone half to death over it?

 

[Indicate]

Why the hell would you rob a pizza shop for $3 worth of Pizza? As petty as may be that is still jail time.

No, it's a beating and jail time.

 

[Raiden]

Does this even happen to white folks? I mean seriously like ever? I have never seen one of these video's where the victim is white.

 

[thelatestmodel]

I mean I don't have all the facts of the case but I'm pretty sure this particular cop should be fired. Just goes in swinging.

Another day, another American police story.

 

[BennyBlanco]

I'm batting 1.000 when it comes to guessing the skin color of cops/victims in these types of threads.

So you guessed none of the cops would be white before you opened the thread?

 

[TheOMan]

Does this even happen to white folks? I mean seriously like ever? I have never seen one of these video's where the victim is white.

Well....

Maygan avoids jail for confronting police at her front door with knives

Mind you this is in Canada and she is the wife of a senator so, take that as you will.

 

[LQX]

Why beat someone half to death over it?

He did not get beat half to death but that is besides the other point that this idiot robbed a store for $3 worth of pizza. Yes the cops were wrong, but I cant get past that. It is ridiculous. And in NY that is probably a year a slice.

 

[Jpop]

I mean, the guy is suspected of a knifepoint robbery. I can see why they would be so wary of him and wanting to get him restrained quickly. But why keep hitting him with his hands behind his back?

The first cop looked scared and like he wanted to just get the guy under control, the second cop rushed in and just started throwing haymakers out of nowhere. Then the first cop started taking pot shots when he was restrained.

Pretty bizarre incident all around.

Jesus Christ.

 

[MHWilliams]

I mean, the guy is suspected of a knifepoint robbery. I can see why they would be so wary of him and wanting to get him restrained quickly. But why keep hitting him with his hands behind his back?

Because, people will look for reasons and call situations like this "odd" instead of outright condemnation. The police have the benefit of the doubt and punishment is lax at best. So why wouldn't you?

When you can get away with bodily harm because of assumptions and feelings, you'll start there.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Jesus Christ.

what?

Because, people will look for reasons and call situations like this "odd" instead of outright condemnation. The police have the benefit of the doubt and punishment is lax at best. So why wouldn't you?

When you can get away with bodily harm because of assumptions and feelings, you'll start there.

Just seems kind of sadistic.

 

[MHWilliams]

Just seems kind of sadistic.

In some cases, I'm sure it is. In others, that may be their anger talking. Some genuinely believe they have to go full tilt to protect themselves.

Officers are just people. They are susceptible to the same biases and issues as any other person. This is one reason that giving them the full benefit of the doubt is erroneous.

Regardless, the lack of actual deterrent for mistakes (which lead to loss of life, health, and liberty on the part of citizens) is a problem. Which is odd, because that's what law enforcement is about, isn't it?

 

[Two Words]

I mean, the guy is suspected of a knifepoint robbery. I can see why they would be so wary of him and wanting to get him restrained quickly. But why keep hitting him with his hands behind his back?

Wary doesn't mean you should sucker punch him when both hands are raised in the air....

 

[Sir Abacus]

Just seems kind of sadistic.

Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck.

 

[CharlieDigital]

All of this over $1.

Think about that.

It's crazy because the cost of these legal proceedings, the cost of a potential payout from a civil suit, or the cost of incarceration if he's convicted....

$1.

 

[Big Baybee]

He will get paid, but those cops should lose their jobs as well, along with being charged.

 

[see5harp]

$3 for 2 slices of pizza? That seems super cheap.

 

[Two Words]

All of this over $1.

Think about that.

It's crazy because the cost of these legal proceedings, the cost of a potential payout from a civil suit, or the cost of incarceration if he's convicted....

$1.

An alleged dollar.

 

[Sir Abacus]

All of this over $1.

Think about that.

It's crazy because the cost of these legal proceedings, the cost of a potential payout from a civil suit, or the cost of incarceration if he's convicted....

$1.

Cops don't care. They don't pay it. The city does. Sometimes they don't even live in the city that pays for it so a double dose of who gives a shit. The contracts police make and the strength of the union mean the police budget isn't cut.

They need to dismantle qualified immunity. Make cops carry brutality insurance like a doctor carries malpractice insurance.

 

[CrocMother]

$3 for 2 slices of pizza? That seems super cheap.

You can get 2 slices and soda a lot of places in NY for $2.75.

Anyway it's so amazing how many of these instances are caught on camera these days. I'm hoping for every incident that gets caught on camera, it stops two potential incidents from happening in the future. Hoping.

It's frightening to think that some people actually believe that jail time should be a consequence of petty theft.

I'd take 30 days in jail over a hefty fine any day, especially if I'm desperate enough to be committing petty theft in the first place. Just my two cents.

 

[mrdeiz]

business as usual

 

[CharlieDigital]

I get that these businesses can't let people take advantage of them, but seriously, it's one fucking dollar.

You can rifle through your sofa and find a dollar in change.

Could have just given them the pizza, kicked them out, and told them not to come back again until they paid up.

 

[Lulubop]

$3 for 2 slices of pizza? That seems super cheap.

There's a million dollar slice places in the city.

 

[BennyBlanco]

In some cases, I'm sure it is. In others, that may be their anger talking. Some genuinely believe they have to go full tilt to protect themselves.

Officers are just people. They are susceptible to the same biases and issues as any other person. This is one reason that giving them the full benefit of the doubt is erroneous.

Regardless, the lack of actual deterrent for mistakes (which lead to loss of life, health, and liberty on the part of citizens) is a problem. Which is odd, because that's what law enforcement is about, isn't it?

Good post and I agree with all of it. Internal affairs need to be cleaned up, especially in NY.

It's frightening to think that some people actually believe that jail time should be a consequence of petty theft.

The part where somebody pulled a knife is where this went from innocuous misdemeanor to somebody is probably going to jail.

 

[shadowsdarknes]

How about stop throwing punches?
I swear this profession allows for too much testosterone guidance rather than use of the brain.