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« Murder defendant claims police pressured him / Photo | Today | Lynch: Lead verdict reversal 'enormously disappointing' » July 1, 2008Update: 3 officers return to duty after death of suspectWEST WARWICK –– Three of the five West Warwick police officers who were placed on administrative leave after the death of a man in their custody have returned to duty today. But the two initial responders, Patrick Kelly and Sean Lukowicz, are still on administrative leave pending the completion of an investigation into the death of 47-year-old Mark Jackson. West Warwick Police Chief Paul A. Villa did not take any questions at a news conference this afternoon at Town Hall. Villa said Marcus Palazzo and brothers Thomas and Michael Nye did not use pepper spray or batons on Jackson, and arrived in time to handcuff him. -- projo.com staff writer Brandie M. Jefferson, with reports from Journal staff writer Talia Buford Jackson, of Warwick, had been staying his mother, who says her son had schizophrenia. On June 27 he was walking behind a liquor store when a police officer arrived, responding to a call of vandalism of the store’s sign. When an officer asked Jackson to remove his hands from his pockets, he wouldn’t, according to a June 28 statement released by the West Warwick police. The officer called for backup, and another officer arrived. The police say Jackson became “combative” as the two officers approached. In the scuffle that followed, officers were knocked to the ground. The police used pepper spray on Jackson, according to the June 28 statement, and when that didn’t work, they said they used expandable batons to hit Jackson’s legs. Three additional officers would arrive on the scene before they were able to handcuff Jackson. The police said that Jackson was speaking to officers as he was being placed into the cruiser. An autopsy was completed, but the Medical Examiner's Office said the cause of death was "pending further studies." Posted by Brandie M. Jefferson CommentsAnne | July 1, 2008 5:11 PM link the police used to be here to protect and service the public, but in now of days they seem to be more aggressive and don't want to what and see why a person doesn't comply with their requist. it is not only in RI that the police are more aggressive than they need to be. i remember when i was growing up how friendly police where. they were kind, polite, talked to you, and you went to them when you had a problem. they asked you to do someting they said please. they treated you with respect.in today's world the police are not as friendly. them don't seem to want to take the time to stop and talk to you. plus there are no police that do foot patrol. they ride around in car or motorcycles. they is no one on one with the public. when we were growing up you where told to find i cop if you were lost or need help. now of days you can't find that cop unless you can call for help on a phone because they are to busy riding around in the car. let me just say that not all police are alike there are some good ones at there and i hope you will forgive me for some of the things i have said. there is any old saying that there are afew bad apples in the barrel. i think you need to take that barrels out and get rid of the bad one. ( it is no longer afew it's alot) Dale Jackson | July 1, 2008 11:39 PM link I realize a cop's job on the streets is one of the toughest, but hasn't the West Warwick Police Department heard of Tasers? Maybe that gentleman would still have died if he was tased but it is still better than beating him. Henry | July 2, 2008 10:18 AM link Thank goodness the Joyal Liquor Store sign is safe from harm ! Kudos to the brave unidentified citizen informants protecting our commercial signage ! More so to our vigilant, wise, and circumspect paramilitary teams !! Our hallowed capitalist monolithic malls and venues must be protected at all cost ! We must bring an end to these 'suspects' and their threatening ways of walking outside their homes with their hands in their pockets ! What will they be doing next !!? Seriously - I hope that this poor soul's family SUES those responsible for this unwarranted travesty / tragedy - BIG TIME !!! Dennis | July 2, 2008 11:02 AM link "An autopsy was completed, but the Medical Examiner's Office said the cause of death was 'pending further studies.'" Time after time when there is a senseless killing of an innocent citizen by the police, there is a protracted period while the Spin Doctors in the Medical Examiner's Office "get it right." My guess is that the victim "looked" (to the police, anyway) like the kind of guy who would vandalize a sign. Would a mob of police (the entire second shift Warwick Police department was at the scene, can you believe that?) have similarly manhandled someone who happened to be behind a liquor store on Hope Street following a similar complaint? Well, at least this time they didn't shoot him, they only beat him to death. Spin Doctors | July 2, 2008 12:57 PM link Post a commentPlease be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish. |
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ProJo 9 to 5 News Blog
Oct 2005 - March 2006
I live in the town of West Warwick and to hear about this story and read about all that happened, offends me. Unless the guy pulled a gun on the cops, there was NO reason to use the cruelty that they did. I believe that those officers that are suppose to protect us, should be punished. My heart goes out to the family and friends of Mark and my prayers are with you and that justice will be served!!!