EXCLUSIVE: Brooklyn man hit in head by NYPD plans $3M lawsuit against city
His civil lawyer, Ilissa Brownstein, said she has filed notices to sue the city on behalf of Lawson and his gal pal who both starred in the bloody cell phone video showing the cop trying to arrest him on Nov. 20 at the Myrtle Ave. and Broadway elevated subway station.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Saturday, January 3, 2015, 2:30 AM
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The Brooklyn man clobbered in the head by a nightstick-wielding NYPD cop is planning to file a $3 million lawsuit against the city alleging he was the victim of excessive police force, the Daily News has learned.
Donovan Lawson, 20, cleared up the criminal charges of fare beating and resisting arrest Friday in Brooklyn Criminal Court, agreeing to a dismissal of the charges if he stays out of trouble for the next six months.
His civil lawyer, Ilissa Brownstein, said she has filed notices to sue the city on behalf of Lawson and his gal pal who both starred in the bloody cell phone video showing the cop trying to arrest him on Nov. 20 at the Myrtle Ave. and Broadway elevated subway station.
Lawson’s girlfriend, Ceanna Pulido-Wolf was also arrested in the incident, but the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office declined to prosecute her, according to Brownstein. She is seeking $1 million in monetary damages for false arrest.
Lawson, who has a prior conviction for robbery, allegedly tried to piggyback through the turnstile behind Pulido-Wolf who was using her student MetroCard.
Prosecutors are investigating Officer Evans Mazile’s use of force but it remains unclear if the case will be presented to a grand jury.
The cop’s union lawyer said Mazile has yet to return to work due to injuries he sustained battling with Lawson.
“It’s always disappointing to me when an officer is injured due to an arrest and there’s no communication from the D.A.’s office for the officer’s input as to a disposition of the matter,” said Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association lawyer Stuart London.
A spokeswoman for the Brooklyn DA said there was no update on the status of the probe.
“The fact that the D.A. offered an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal is telling because it shows they are taking the use of excessive force seriously,” Brownstein said.
Lawson was previously offered the deal to plead guilty to a violation, which he rejected and was scheduled to go on trial Friday but the prosecutor came up with the better offer to the defendant.
He also got a reprieve from going back to state prison on a parole violation as at result of the fare evasion arrest. Instead, he will complete a drug treatment program.
In the video, the cop cracks Lawson in the head with his nightstick as he struggles to restrain him. The blow opened a gash and Lawson’s face becomes a crimson mask of blood but he remains standing.
Brownstein said her client suffers headaches and memory loss as a result of the injury and when she last saw him two weeks ago he still had a large bump protruding from his forehead.
