5 New Haven Cops Plead Not Guilty In Randy Cox Case

NEW HAVEN CT — Five police officers pleaded not guilty to recklessly endangering the life Randy Cox, who was partially paralyzed after being transported in a police van without a seatbelt.

Officer Oscar Diaz, Officer Ronald Pressley, Officer Jocelyn Lavandier, Officer Luis Rivera, and Sergeant Betsy Segui were charged with misdemeanor second-degree reckless endangerment and cruelty to persons. All are on administrative leave from the department.

Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Cox in a lawsuit against the city and officers, said his client was inhumanely treated by the officers.

“Since these five officers failed to take accountability for their actions, they will now have to face a trial, where the prosecution will present the significant evidence against their claims of no guilt,” Crump said in a statement. “We are confident that will show just how little humanity Randy was shown and how that contributed to his lifelong, catastrophic injuries.”

Cox sued the city and officers for $100 million in September. The city and Cox’s attorneys have been discussing a possible settlement.

Cox was arrested June 15 and was injured after an officer driving the transport van stopped abruptly. Video from the van shows Cox slam hard into the van wall. Cox told Diaz that he couldn’t move, and Diaz called for an ambulance to meet them at the police detention center.

Officers at the detention area dragged Cox out of the van and put him in a wheelchair. Throughout the booking process, Cox can be heard on video saying that he was concerned his neck his broken and that he had trouble moving.

Read more about the Richard "Randy" Cox case from Patch here >>

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