Stamford Mother 'Begging' For Answers About Son's Death

STAMFORD, CT — Steven Barrier, 23, died after being taken into custody by Stamford Police early Wednesday morning, and his mother said she is "begging" for answers about her son's final moments.

Valerie Jaddo spoke out during a news conference held Friday afternoon at Bethel AME Church in Stamford, where clergy, elected officials and representatives of the NAACP's Stamford branch were 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."

Police said in a statement Wednesday that Barrier, who they did not identify, was arrested following a domestic dispute and went into medical distress. He was subsequently taken to Stamford Hospital, where he later died, police said.

See also: Man Dies After Being Taken Into Police Custody: Stamford Police

Acting Police Chief Thomas Wuennemann told the Stamford Advocate the man appeared to have died from an unknown medical condition and police conduct is not being looked at as a cause of death.

At this point, Jaddo said, she and her family are 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?"

Stamford NAACP Executive Committee Member Guy Fortt said the association was present with clergy and elected officials to show the community they are working together to keep the community informed during this time.

"We ask that you all be patient," Fortt said, "be respectful as we work through the investigation and legal process."

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Mayor David Martin said he invited community leaders, clergy, and members of the NAACP to his office Thursday to discuss the incident, along with Wuennemann, State's Attorney Richard Colangelo, Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski and other officials.

"During that discussion we shared important details, including the medical examiner's preliminary report which concluded there was no evidence of inflicted injuries," Martin said in a statement. "The medical examiner expects more information through the toxicology report, which may take four to six weeks to complete, and the city and the state's attorney have requested this report be expedited."

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 department has body-worn camera footage from over 20 different officers involved in various aspects of the events surrounding Barrier's arrest, as well as the audiotape of the 911 call reporting a domestic assault, Martin said.

On Thursday, Colangelo shared some of the body-worn camera footage with the family and a representative from the NAACP.

"As soon as the family has been given an opportunity to review all the body-worn camera footage and the city receives authorization from the State's Attorney's Office, this footage will be shared with the public," Martin said. "The death of this man is an absolute tragedy and I sympathize with the grief his family is feeling. I met with his mother [Friday] morning and expressed my sincerest condolences."

It was announced Friday that civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump and co-counsel Michael Jefferson will represent the family. In a statement, Crump said they would be "demanding transparency and accountability" from the police department.

"We stand with the family of this young man in demanding answers from the Stamford Police Department," Crump said in a statement. "Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding his death while in the custody of law enforcement, the department has not provided a full accounting of the facts and circumstances of how this tragic death occurred."

Jaddo, holding back tears, asked for support from both the department and the Stamford community during this tragic time.

"I beg of you, please provide all the details and evidence surrounding the death of my son," Jaddo said. "Community, I need you help; I need your support."