Law Offices of Howard Friedman P.C.

Celinda Kaye v. Robert Kramer and the City of Taunton

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Thu, 11/17/2022 - 09:11

On August 24, 2007, Kramer beat and kicked Ms. Kaye, causing multiple facial fractures, two broken ribs, among other injuries. Kramer was enraged that Ms. Kaye had not immediately complied with his unlawful order to shut her mouth and go back inside as she stood at her front door observing Kramer and other officers making an arrest in front of her home. Taunton Police Chief Raymond O’Berg has publicly complained about his inability to investigate wrongdoings within his department. As a result, officers believe that they are free to violate citizens’ rights with impunity.

Carlos Medina v. Christopher Holt and Timothy Lenane

Submitted by Re'Neisha Stevenson on Thu, 11/17/2022 - 09:05

On February 28, 2009, Boston police officers Lenane and Holt went to the public way behind the Pine Street Inn to “broom” the area of homeless people. When the officers approached, everyone fled except for Mr. Medina. Defendants incorrectly assumed that Mr. Medina had drugs. Lenane grabbed Mr. Medina’s throat and looked inside his mouth for drugs. Holt hit Mr. Medina on the nose with a hard metal object, breaking his nose. Both attacked Mr. Medina, kicking and punching him while he was on the ground. Defendants did not find any drugs and did not arrest Mr.

Carl Conforti v. Francois Napert III

Submitted by Howard Friedman on Thu, 11/17/2022 - 08:55

On Jan 30, 2010, Mr. Conforti traveled to Westport to help his sister, who is confined to a wheelchair. Mr. Conforti made arrangements with his sister’s neighbor to collect fallen branches from the neighbor’s yard, in order to heat his sister’s home. As Mr. Conforti drove through the neighborhood, he was followed by off-duty officer Napert. Napert arrested Mr. Conforti for larceny of wood, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Witnesses heard Mr. Conforti, a cancer survivor who had tracheal resection surgery, plead for help because he had wires in his chest and he had trouble breathing.

Brenda Wernikoff v. Loletha Graham-Smith, Margaretta Collins, Vanessa Ellis, Edward Flemming, Frank Chiola, John Does 1 - 5, and the City of Boston

Submitted by Howard Friedman on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 22:47

On May 19, 2010, Boston police officers arrested Ms. Wernikoff, a male-to-female transgender woman, because she was using the women’s bathroom at a homeless shelter. Ms. Wernikoff’s use of the bathroom based on her gender identity was entirely appropriate, as both BPHC policy and a Boston city ordinance make clear. Officers took Ms. Wernikoff to the police station, where male officers including forced her to remove her shirt and bra, exposing her breasts, and to jump up and down, causing her breasts to jiggle. The officers laughed at Ms. Wernikoff. She felt humiliated and degraded.

Alice Swiridowsky-Muckle v. Siopes et. al.

Submitted by Howard Friedman on Tue, 09/27/2022 - 14:38

On January 13, 2013, Alyssa was arrested. She was unconscious when police officers carried her into a cell. Police should know alcohol intoxication can cause death. The officers did not have Alyssa evaluated and when an officer checked on her later that night, she had died of alcohol poisoning. Her life could have been saved by prompt medical treatment. Video from the station documented the actions of the police officers. Alyssa’s only heir at law was her estranged husband who was incarcerated when the incident took place.