Lawyer Of Man Who Died In Police Custody Wants Emergency Meeting

STAMFORD, CT — The attorney representing the family of Steven Barrier, a 23-year-old city man who died after being taken into custody by Stamford Police last month, is calling for an emergency meeting of the Stamford Board of Representatives to discuss city police policies.

Attorney Ben Crump, along with the Stamford branch of the NAACP and the the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, sent a letter to the board Tuesday, requesting a meeting to "address the policies, practices and protocols of the Stamford Police Department."

In the letter, Crump claims it becomes "more and more evident" each day that Barrier was clearly in distress the night of his arrest but "was denied medical care that could have saved his life."

The letter also claims the arresting officers "acted with callous disregard to [Barrier's] well-being" by refusing to take him to the hospital.

"These callous and inexplicable actions by the Stamford Police Department defy any sense of human decency or common sense," the letter reads, "and have led to widespread community concern and questions about the policies, practices and training of our local law enforcement and what role these issues of policy, practice and training played in the events leading to Steven's death."

See also: Body Camera Footage Released Of Man Who Died In Police Custody: VIDEO

The group is also demanding the board question Acting Police Chief Tom Wuennemann about the "conduct of the police officers" before and after the arrest to determine if their actions that night complied with all relevant department policies, protocols and practices.

"We further demand that the chief discipline any officer found to have violated any department policy, practice or protocol, including the failure to follow proper protocol related to the use of body cams," the letter reads.

The letter comes a week after State's Attorney Richard J. Colangelo Jr., who is investigating the case, released body camera footage and a 911 call from the night of the arrest.

The footage and phone call reveal that a 911 call was received at 11:40 p.m., reporting a domestic violence incident involving Barrier at a home.

Barrier wasn't home when officers arrived, but police received text messages around 1:30 a.m. informing them he had returned to the house.

Barrier again fled when police responded, and officers chased him on foot. Barrier ran through several backyards and ended up at the Home Depot on West Main Street.

Colangelo said the body camera footage shows police taking Barrier into custody without incident. When asked to walk to a police car, Barrier told officers he was tired and was ultimately carried to a cruiser.

During the drive, Barrier asked for the air conditioning to be turned on, and an officer rolled down the car windows a bit.

After taking him out of the car, officers found that Barrier was unconscious and they carried him to a holding area. They requested medical emergency medical help, which arrived about six minutes later. Barrier was taken to Stamford Hospital, where he died at 3:10 a.m., Colangelo said.

The cause and manner of Barrier's death still has not been determined, however the medical examiner's preliminary findings indicated there is "no evidence of inflicted injuries," according to Colangelo. He also said there is no evidence a Taser was used by any Stamford Police officer.

See also: Stamford Mother 'Begging' For Answers About Son's Death

Two days after the incident, Barrier's mother, Valerie Jaddo, said she was "begging" for answers about her son's final moments during a news conference held at Bethel AME Church in Stamford. Clergy, elected officials and representatives of the NAACP's Stamford branch were also in attendance.

"Three days ago, my son needed help," Jaddo said during the news conference. "Instead of receiving help, he lost his life. I received the news that no mother should ever have to hear. I am left with a giant pain in my heart and a thousand questions about what happened."

Jaddo said her family was not casting blame or jumping to conclusions about what happened that morning, however they are demanding answers from the department.

"What happened between my son and police during their initial encounter?" Jaddo asked. "Was he tased? Was he in pain? Why did [officers] take my son to the police station when you should have taken my son to the hospital? Could all of this have been prevented? Did he ask for help?"

That same day, Mayor David Martin said in a statement he had invited community leaders, clergy, and members of the NAACP to his office a day prior to discuss the incident, along with Colangelo, Wuennemann and other officials.

Martin said he believed the community had the right to know what happened and would share all available information as soon as he was permitted by the State's Attorney's Office.

"The death of this man is an absolute tragedy," Martin said in a statement. "I sympathize with the grief his family is feeling."

Below is the full text of the letter sent to Stamford's Board of Representatives on Nov. 5, 2019:

Dear Members of the Board:

With each day that passes since Steven Barrier's death, it becomes more and more evident that a young man in clear distress was denied medical care that could have saved his life. The arresting officers were aware of Steven’s medical condition, yet they acted with callous disregard to his well-being by refusing to take him to the hospital – a hospital they almost certainly passed on the way to the police station- and then mocking Steven by joking that he deserved an Oscar for faking his injury as he lie dying without anyone rendering aid for several minutes.

These callous and inexplicable actions by the Stamford Police Department defy any sense of human decency or common sense and have led to widespread community concern and questions about the policies, practices, and training of our local law enforcement and what role these issues of policy, practice, and training played in the events leading to Steven’s death.

Consequently, we are calling on the Stamford Board of Representatives to convene an emergency meeting to address the policies, practices, and protocols of the Stamford Police Department. Specifically, we demand that the Board question the Chief of Police on the detail of events and conduct of the police officers that transpired prior to and following Steven Barrier being taken into custody and determine whether the conduct and actions of the police complied with all relevant Department policies, protocols, and practices. We further demand that the Chief discipline any officer found to have violated any Department policy, practice, or protocol, including the failure to follow proper protocol related to the use of body cams.

It is clear from the handling of similar cases that no consistent policy exists for accessing or providing medical assistance for citizens in need. Why was Steven not taken to the hospital, when others are often provided that vital aid? Why, also, were the body cam videos not on during the moments prior to Steven being handcuffed? The citizens of Stamford and the family of Steven Barrier deserve answers.

As the Stamford Board of Representatives, you swore an oath to be the community's voice and advocate in demanding accountability, transparency, and fair and humane treatment of all residents by local powers such as law enforcement. It is a matter of urgency and credibility for law enforcement and for our elected leaders that you convene a special meeting of the Board to address the community’s many questions surrounding the Stamford Police Department and the tragic death of Steven Barrier.