Introduction
On September 25, 2012, a federal court issued a superseding indictment against three East Haven police officers. The indictment accuses the officers of violating the civil rights of community members in the East Haven area. This article will provide an overview of the indictment and its implications.
Background on the East Haven Police Officers
The three East Haven police officers—David Cari, Dennis Spaulding, and Jason Zullo—had previously been indicted in January 2012 on charges of conspiracy to commit police misconduct, false arrest, and excessive force. The new superseding indictment expands on those charges, including accusations of racial profiling and conspiracy to violate individuals’ civil rights.
Accusations of Civil Rights Violations
The indictment accuses the East Haven police officers of engaging in a pattern of discriminatory behavior, including targeting Latinos and using excessive force against them. The officers allegedly made false arrests, used racial slurs, and engaged in other forms of misconduct.
Consequences for the Officers and Community
If found guilty, the East Haven police officers could face significant legal consequences, including fines and imprisonment. The indictment also has implications for the East Haven community, particularly for Latino residents who have been subject to alleged discriminatory behavior by the police.
Response to the Indictment
The indictment has sparked a range of responses, including protests and calls for accountability. Community members, civil rights advocates, and politicians have spoken out against the alleged misconduct, calling for reform and greater police accountability.
Moving Forward
The East Haven police officers’ indictment highlights larger issues of police misconduct and systemic discrimination in law enforcement. It underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and reform in police departments across the country to ensure that civil rights are protected and respected for all members of the community.
Conclusion
The court’s indictment of the three East Haven police officers on civil rights violations is a significant development in the ongoing struggle for police accountability and the protection of civil rights. While the officers are innocent until proven guilty, the charges raise important questions about the role of law enforcement in ensuring equal justice under the law.
On September 25, 2012, the US Attorney for the District of Connecticut and the FBI’s New York Office announced a superseding indictment against David Cari, Dennis Spaulding, and Jason Zullo—all East Haven Police Officers. The men are accused of violating civil rights of members in the East Haven area.
According to the superseding indictment, the police officers committed 35 acts that violated civil rights. The three officers conducted unreasonable searches and seizures, used unreasonable force during arrests, and wrote false reports about the arrests. Many of these arrests were directed toward Latino community members, and many of the unreasonable searches and seizures were directed toward Latino-owned businesses.
Particularly, the new charges against Zullo add onto an incident that occurred in October of 2008. Officer Zullo was charged after he repeatedly hit a traveling motorcycle with two passengers with his squad car. The motorcycle crashed and the two victims were thrown to the ground. Zullo then proceeded to punch one of the victims, who was already injured and pinned to the ground, and then wrote a false police report.
Each of the defendants is charged with one count of conspiracy against rights. Officer Zullo is charged with three counts of using unreasonable force by a law enforcement officer, and Officer Spalding received one similar charge. Officer Spalding is also charged with two counts of deprivation of rights for making arrests with enough probably cause, and Cari is facing one similar charge.
The men still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Spaulding, Zullo, and Cari all face one charge of obstruction of a federal investigation as well. Each count carries of maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation
