Anthony Baez

Anthony Ramon Baez (1965 – 1994) was a security guard who was killed after following an altercation with police on December 22, 1994 at the age of 29. His death occurred early in the morning on Cameron Place in the Mount Hope section of the Bronx, New York. The fatal encounter began when Anthony Baez and his brothers hit a police car with their football accidentally[1]around 1:30 am. The Baez brothers continued their game, playing in the opposite direction. Officer Francis Livoti arrested David Baez first for disorderly conduct. He then attempted to arrest Anthony Baez, who had protested his brother's arrest by crossing his arms in front of his chest. A scuffle ensued, while other officers arrived on scene.[2] Baez was subdued, lost consciousness, and was taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead of asphyxiation. Controversy centered over the extent to which officers contributed to his death, specifically whether he was subjected to a choke hold.

Personal details

Anthony Baez was 5 feet 6 inches tall, 270 pounds, and asthmatic. Mr. Baez had allegedly resisted arrest and police claimed it took four officers to handcuff him and bring him to the ground. Baez was taken to the hospital by the police when a dispatched ambulance by Sgt. William Monahan, failed to arrive. The New York City Medical Examiner ruled that Anthony Baez' death was caused by asphyxiation due to "compression of his neck and chest", as well as acute asthma. Dr. Hirsch said that the classification of homicide indicated the death was caused "either entirely or partially" by "the actions of another person".

Phil Caruso, the president of the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, said that Anthony Baez “resisted violently when they attempted to put handcuffs on him, that's when he had the asthmatic attack." Sgt. William Monahan later testified that after the struggle, he saw Mr. Baez, handcuffed, stand up and walk briefly, with assistance from Officer Francis Livoti, contradicting claims by Baez's family that he was already limp when cuffed.[3]

Livoti was the subject of several civilian complaints for excessive force, though none had been substantiated by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.[4]

In his defense, Livoti denied that he had used a choke hold, asserting that any choking was unintentional and that he had not caused Baez's injuries or death. Three officers at the scene testified that they did not see anyone put Baez in a choke hold, that Baez was resisting arrest when Livoti handcuffed him, and that Baez was conscious after being restrained. Baez' father and brothers testified that Livoti did put Baez in a choke hold, and that Baez was limp when Livoti handcuffed him. Officer Francis Livoti also contends that the district court failed to consider that Baez at least contributed to the confrontation by resisting his (Livoti’s) efforts to handcuff him (Baez) behind his back.[5] Prosecutors countered that there was no probable cause for the arrest in the first place, it not being a crime to accidentally hit a police car with a football.

The death of Anthony Baez created wide media attention. Baez’s death was seized on by people who said that the police are too quick to use deadly force. This was the third and most notable incident involving NYPD police brutality in 1994, and in some previous cases the officers were acquitted.[6]

Criminal trials and investigations

In March 1995, a Bronx grand jury indicted Livoti on charges of manslaughter in the second degree. Homicide charges were initially thrown out after an indictment with an incorrect charge was noted.[7]

In December 1995, Livoti was reindicted for criminally negligent homicide.[8] Livoti's trial began in September, 1996. He had waived his right to a jury trial and instead opted to have the case heard solely by a judge. In October 1996, Officer Francis Livoti was acquitted by a State Supreme Court Justice. The acquittal was greeted with widespread public outcry and unrest, including claims of revenge.[9]

Federal prosecutors charged Livoti with civil rights violations, similar to cases brought against Los Angeles police officers Stacey C. Koon and Laurence Powell for the beating of Rodney King.[10] Officer Daisy Boria was considered a distant relative of the Baezes and was present at his arrest in 1994. She contradicted three of her fellow police officers, including her partner.[11] Boria had testified that she saw no confrontaton between Livoti and Baez. However, in 1987, she had been indicted on perjury charges by the Manhattan District Attorney for lying about an insurance case. She was later acquitted. In 2003, disciplinary charges were brought against two other officers, Mario Erotokritou and Anthony Farnan, involved in the death of Anthony Baez. Both officers were summarily dismissed.

Conclusion

In June 1998, Livoti was convicted in Federal court of violating Anthony Baez’s civil rights, and was sentenced to seven and a half years in federal prison. Livoti was released in April 2005, after serving six and a half years.[12]

Baez's widow filed a $13 million wrongful death claim in 1995. She settled with the NYPD for $3 million in October, 1998.

In 2000 the street where Baez died was renamed Anthony Baez Place.[13]

Film

A documentary film, Every Mother's Son, profiling the mothers of three men killed by the NYPD and their legal and political efforts, was made in 2004, about the cases of Gidone Busch, Amadou Diallo and Baez.

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.villagevoice.com/1999-11-02/news/serpico-nothing-has-changed/
  2. ↑
  3. ↑ Weiser, Benjamin (1998-06-23). "Police Testify Ex-Officer Did Not Choke Suspect - New York Times". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  4. ↑ Krauss, Clifford (1994-12-30). "Clash Over a Football Ends With a Death in Police Custody - New York Times". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  5. ↑ "Docket No. 98-1608 - UNITED STATES v. LIVOTI - US 2nd Circuit". Laws.findlaw.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  6. ↑ Krauss, Clifford (1995-04-15). "Case Casts Wide Light On Abuse By Police - New York Times". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  7. ↑ Purdy, Matthew (1995-09-06). "Judge Rules Clerical Error Voids Officer's Homicide Charges". The New York Times.
  8. ↑ Nossiter, Adam (1995-12-09). "Officer Is Reindicted in Death of Suspect in the Bronx - NYTimes.com". New York City;: Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  9. ↑ Cooper, Michael (1997-01-08). "Revenge Cited In Shooting Of a Captain - New York Times". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  10. ↑ Chen, David W. (1998-01-14). "Federal Jury Indicts Officer In Choking Of Bronx Man - New York Times". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  11. ↑ Alvarez, Lizette (1996-10-05). "Judge in Homicide Trial Implies Perjury by Officers - New York Times". Select.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  12. ↑ "One out of jail, one out of work". Nypdconfidential.com. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
  13. ↑ "Press Release Archives #135 MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS BILL THAT NAMES BRONX STREET AFTER ANTHONY BAEZ". Nyc.gov. Retrieved 2012-02-17.
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