Cop Allegedly Injured in Courtroom Altercation, Police Officers Turn Out to Demand Radio Upgrades

SOUTHOLD, NY — After a police officer was allegedly injured in Southold Justice Court by an agitated homeless defendant, radios did not work, according to Southold Town Police Benevolent Association President Richard Buonaiuto, who came, along with a crowd of police officers and their families, to ask the town board Tuesday for immediate attention to the issue.

Buonaiuto said he'd previously sent a letter to the town board, stating his concerns over failures by the radio system that "need to be addressed."

The issues, including dead zones, "have dragged on for several years and threaten the safety of my members, and the public."

He had already intended to appear at the Southold town board meeting Tuesday to "inquire what steps are being taken to rectify this critical problem."

But then, "unfortunately," he said, Monday's incident, during which a police officer was injured during justice court proceedings, took place, and one police officer and two court officers were "involved in the altercation" with a defendant.

"Two calls" for help "went unheeded," Buonaiuto said. "They were not received by headquarters," due to radio issues.

"This is unacceptable and an example of many failed transmissions," he said.

Buonaiuto said it had been reported, Dennis Kentner, a consultant, had been hired to "identify deficiencies in the system. Has the town obtained a consultant?"

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the contract had been sent to Kentner. "We're waiting for him to sign it and give it back." The supervisor said he'd call him personally.

He added that the town board had agreed to support Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley's request for a consultant.

"Every year, this issues comes up and the board says the same thing: 'Tell us what you need and when you need it.' The funding mechanism is in place," Russell said. "The support is there. The money is there."

At Tuesday's work session, Flatley came to the board and requested $160,000 for the radio dispatch project, which he had earlier stated at a previous work session would cost approximately $390,000, or $340,000, if applied for before August 31, when a $50,000 incentive could be applied. Flatley said at that meeting that he had $180,000 in funding from the 911 surcharge fees.

Russell said he'd also met with New York State Senator Ken LaValle, who is "very interested in figuring out how he can help us."

Councilwoman Jill Doherty said she'd like to "wrap this up" before August 31 so the town could see the $50,000 discount. She added that the town has to work to address the dead spots.

Flatley said he thinks that deadline could possibly be extended.

After the meeting, Russell said, of Kentner, "We have done business with him before and are confident that his work will be beneficial and his fees are reasonable. My hope is that he signs the contract immediately and sends it back. I would expect him to get to work right away."

As for the justice court incident, the supervisor said, "The court was outfitted with a panic button, two court officers and a police officer."

A lieutenant was testing radio communications on Tuesday, he added.

Of whether the incident reflected the need for enhanced security, or a new justice court, an issue that has been before the board for more than a year, Russell said, "The court had an unruly suspect Monday. Decisions that were made, or not made, were largely responsible for creating the situation that unfolded and had little to due with where court is held."

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the second arraignment of Michael Davis, charged with injuring a police officer at Southold Justice Court on Monday, was held off because the defendant was in the hospital, police said.

"He is still in the hospital for an evaluation, and upon release will be re-arrested on yesterday afternoon’s charges," Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley told Patch.

Davis' girlfriend, Nyasia Coach, was arraigned Tuesday; her bail was set at $250 cash or $500 bond.

Coach appeared before Justice Bill Price and was represented by Westhampton Beach-based attorney Christian Killoran, who said his client pleaded not guilty.

He said she was a lifelong Long Island resident, who has lived in Riverhead and Greenport, and has a large family in the area, including her parents, brothers and cousins. Coach, he said, works at Salamander's in Greenport and has no criminal history and was facing a "single misdemeanor charge"; he asked that she be released on her own recognizance.

As for the allegation that she is homeless, Killoran said his client, along with Davis, had been staying with friends in the residence where the incident occurred and said she had other friends she could stay with upon her release.

Judge says justice court incident "could have been tragic"

On Tuesday, Southold Justice William Price told Patch that justice court security, which has been under discussion with the town board for more than a year, with a new metal detector installed, is still an issue.

"That risk is always present. In this situation the metal detector was irrelevant. Officer Christopher Salmon and the court officers contained the incident immediately in front of the bench and did what was necessary to avoid injuries bystanders as well as the court staff," he said.

"We are lucky that the arraignment took place during traffic court while the court officers were present. If the defendant had got out of the courtroom and into the other part of the town hall it could have been tragic," Price said.

"There seemed to be issues" with the police radios, Price said.

Air pistol brandished
The incident began when a homeless man brandished an air pistol that appeared to be a real gun after entering a Greenport home.

According to Southold Town Police, the incident took place Monday at 8:46 a.m. on Main Street in Greenport, when a report was received about a dispute involving a man who appeared to be in possession of a handgun.

Davis, 22, who is currently homeless, is alleged to have unlawfully entered a home on Main Street in Greenport and, after being confronted by the owner of the residence, produced the air pistol, police said.

Davis, who was highly agitated, resisted arrest, police said.

Coach, 20, Davis’ girlfriend, attempted to prevent officers from arresting Davis; she was also taken into custody, police said. Davis also intentionally damaged a police radio, police said.

Davis was charged with criminal trespass, menacing, two counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest and obstructing governmental administration, police said.

Coach was charged with obstructing governmental administration, police said.

Davis was arraigned in Southold Justice Court, police said.

During arraignment, Davis was agitated and unruly, police said.

Price ordered Davis released on his own recognizance, police said.

However, while still in the courtroom, Davis began to make numerous threats to himself and others and had to be taken back into custody, police said.

Davis then struggled with police and court officers, causing injury to Southold Town Police Officer Salmon, police said.

Davis was transported back to Southold Police headquarters and was then also charged with second degree assault, a felony, and obstruction governmental administration, police said.

David was held overnight and was supposed to appear again in Southold Justice Court on Tuesday to be arraigned on the additional charges, police said; that arraignment was held off until his release from the hospital.

He is slated for arraignment Wednesday morning, court officials said.