Emma Seiwell, Thomas Tracy, Larry McShane
New York Day by day Information
Social media video exhibits an NYPD sergeant together with her knee on a suspect’s neck as a second cop tasered the person on a Bronx sidewalk throughout a fast-escalating arrest.
The person, who’s free on bail on expenses together with felony assault of a police officer, choked the sergeant through the melee, cops mentioned.
The difficulty began at about 8:20 p.m. April 16 when Romaine Francis approached officers in “an aggressive method” whereas they had been in the course of an investigation at Prospect Ave. and E. 149th St. in Mott Haven, police mentioned.
Francis, 29, carrying a white sweatsuit and a baseball cap, went chest-to-chest with one of many officers, prompting cops to repeatedly order him to again away, mentioned police.
He refused, and a wrestle ensued.
The 35-second clip exhibits the brawl started with shoving and a chest bump earlier than 4 cops subdued Francis — two cops punched him earlier than he was Tasered. The cellphone video additionally exhibits a feminine sergeant together with her knee on Francis’ neck.
In some unspecified time in the future throughout their wrestle, Francis positioned his fingers across the feminine sergeant’s neck and choked her, mentioned police. The suspect’s choke shouldn’t be seen within the cellphone video, cops mentioned.
The incident is underneath inner overview, in accordance with an NYPD spokesperson. It’s typical for officers to be suspended or positioned on modified obligation whereas such opinions are underway — however not one of the officers concerned within the incident have been shifted to different jobs as of of Friday night time.
Moreover assault on a police officer, the fees towards Francis embody strangulation, legal obstruction of respiration, resisting arrest, obstructing authorities administration and harassment.
Francis, who lives in Mount Hope, was ordered held on $20,000 bond and $5,000 money bail at his arraignment the subsequent day in Bronx Felony Court docket, information present. Metropolis information present Francis posted bail, and was launched on Wednesday. He’s set to return to courtroom on June 1, information present.
In 2020 Francis did a 9 month jail stint for an tried theft conviction. He was launched on parole in June 2021, state information present.
©2023 New York Day by day Information. Go to nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
