Vermont Cop Caught Abusing black Detainee

Scandal-Plagued Department Under Fire Again

A surveillance video has been released showing a Rutland police officer using force on a suspect who was cuffed and behind bars.

The 40-minute video was recorded in January and shows former Rutland police Officer Michael Nesshoever firing a pepperball gun repeatedly at Jamek Hart, 26, while in a holding cell.

The video also shows Hart lying on the floor with his pants down and what appears to be a bag over his head as officers look on.

Nesshoever resigned on Feb. 26 after an internal investigation. Now, he and the city of Rutland will likely face a civil lawsuit. Attorney Mark Furlan, who's representing Hart, said it could be a few weeks before he officially files the paperwork in Rutland Superior Court. "It's just a civil allegation that he knowingly and intentionally violated Mr. Hart's civil rights. It's not a criminal charge, it's a civil lawsuit," said Furlan.

Both Mayor Chris Louras and the city attorney refused to comment on the videotape, saying it's a personnel matter and part of a criminal investigation.

The incident is the latest black eye for a department that has been plagued by scandal in recent weeks. Recently another officer, David Schauwecker, was charged by state police after a lengthy child porn investigation.

Original report here (Video at link)



(And don't forget your ration of Wicked Thoughts for today. Now hosted on Wordpress. If you cannot access it, go to the MIRROR SITE, where posts appear as well as on the primary site. I have reposted the archives (past posts) for Wicked Thoughts HERE or HERE or here