BK Cops Beat Men, Pregnant Woman In Wrongful Arrest, Lawsuit Says

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — Two men and a pregnant woman who say they were beaten by police officers on a Crown Heights street corner last year have sued the city and the cops who attacked them, records show.

Kyle Nieuenkirk, Shaniya Morris and Shane Joyner Foxworth were heading home from a get together near President Street and Franklin Avenue in September when they say unmarked police SUVs surrounded their car and forced them to get out, according to the suit and their attorney.

Ignoring questions about why they had stopped the group, the officers assaulted all three and put Nieuenkirk and Foxworth in handcuffs, according to the suit. Charges against Nieuenkirk were eventually dismissed and Foxworth was let go without being charged, lawyers say.

The lawsuit demands damages from the officers and the city, who it says should be held accountable for hiring and training the cops.

"We look forward to a jury listening to the evidence as to what happened and awarding all these victims appropriate damages," the group's Attorney Sanford Rubenstein told Patch.

The most vicious assault described in the suit was against Nieuenkirk, who told attorneys he was dragged out of his car, punched, hit with flashlights and elbows, maced, and pinned against a car before being put in handcuffs, according to the claim. Cops continued to beat him even after he was restrained, the lawsuit says.

"While in handcuffs, the plaintiff was thrown in a police vehicle where he was assaulted and battered once again by the defendant police officers," the suit reads.

Officers also punched Morris, who was pregnant at the time, according to the suit. She was grabbed from the car, punched and pushed to the ground, but eventually let go, according to the claim.

After being handcuffed, Nieuenkirk was taken to the 71st Precinct and held overnight, the suit states. He was ultimately charged with assault, resisting arrest, menacing and other charges, though the case against him was dismissed in early November, his attorney said.

Foxworth was also taken to a holding cell, though he was released later that night without any charges filed against him, according to a suit.

The suit names three officers and says there are others involved whose names are unknown.

The city's Law Department told Patch they will need to review the lawsuit.

"Therefore, we can’t provide any substantive comment on the merits of the legal claims at this time," a spokesperson said.