NASSAU- A man who lost six teeth after a policeman punched him during an unlawful arrest is set to receive $163,060.85 in compensation.
After the assault, Latario Rolle spent 10 days in custody on trumped up charges, which were eventually dismissed without a trial.
In a postscript to his ruling, Assistant Supreme Court Registrar said, “There is no amount of money that could be awarded to restore the public’s confidence in Police when it has been eroded by abuse.”
Rolle’s ordeal began when police on patrol in Elizabeth Estates stopped him on Malaysia Avenue as he walked to his cousin’s home on to return a PlayStation game on January 9, 2015.
The officers searched Rolle without probable cause. During the illegal search, the officers found a photo of a gun on his cellphone.
When questioned about the location of the firearm, Rolle said it was just a photo from the internet.
The officers illegally arrested Rolle and took him to his home.
But Rolle didn’t have his keys and his grandmother wasn’t there to let them in.
That’s when the officers dragged the handcuffed suspect to the back of the house and pried the door open.
The officers ransacked the home and didn’t find a firearm.
So, they accused Rolle of being in unlawful possession of jewelry, a PlayStation console and games found in the home.
When Rolle asked how the police could break into his home and charge him for his own property, Corporal 2054 Moultrie charged at him and began punching him in the face. Moultrie, who has reportedly since retired, knocked out one of Rolle’s teeth and loosened another in the attack.
Rolle eventually lost six teeth as a result of the assault.
Police did not get Rolle immediate medical care, as required.
He was arraigned before on a magistrate on January 13, 2015 and granted bail.
However, Rolle’s was sent to prison after he didn’t post bail. He was released from prison on January 19, 2015.
Although the charges were dropped in November 2015, police did not return the items that were seized from Rolle’s home.
Rolle’s lawyer, Alton McKenzie, had sought $828,000 in damages.
The Attorney General’s Office lawyer Lynette King did not present a defense to the claims.
Toote said the failure to file submissions in defense “demonstrates an impenitent disregard to the plaintiff.”
