A federal appeals court has reinstated a brutality lawsuit against Hartford police by a man whose back and a rib were broken during a drug arrest in 2009.
A three-judge panel of the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York ruled Monday that U.S. District Judge Vanessa Bryant in Hartford was wrong to dismiss David Rogoz's lawsuit.
The court reinstated claims against Detective George Watson and the city. It also upheld Bryant's dismissal of allegations against several other officers.
Rogoz said he was face down on the ground, surrendering, when Watson jumped on his back to handcuff him and broke his spine in two places and a rib.
Police said Watson used reasonable force in arresting Rogoz, after Rogoz bought $50.00 worth of heroin and fled from police.
