The much maligned police officer who made headlines for (violently arresting) retired tennis star James Blake has just been outed as being in the wrong.
Now, the entire world awaits his fate.
Reports The New York Times:
In a letter sent to Mr. Blake’s lawyer on Tuesday, the board said it had completed its investigation into the conduct of the officer, James Frascatore, during the arrest on Sept. 9 in front of the Grand Hyatt Hotel on 42nd Street in Midtown. The officer’s actions, recorded on surveillance video, prompted outrage and happened amid a national conversation over the proper use of force by the police.
The board substantiated the charge of excessive force against Officer Frascatore and recommended the stiffest punishment: departmental charges that could lead to suspension or dismissal.
Police Commissioner William J. Bratton arriving at a news conference on Thursday to discuss the arrest of James Blake.
James Blake, who was arrested in Midtown Manhattan on Sept. 9 in a case of mistaken identity, spoke to reporters in front of City Hall on Monday.
He will now face an internal Police Department trial; the police commissioner, William J. Bratton, has the final say on discipline of officers.
“I want to express my appreciation to the Civilian Complaint Review Board for their quick and thorough review of the incident where I was attacked,” Mr. Blake said in a statement. “I have complete respect for the principle of due process and appreciate the efforts of the C.C.R.B. to advance this investigation.”
Mr. Blake’s lawyer, Kevin H. Marino, said his client “looks forward to participating in the forthcoming trial.”
The investigation and decision by the board came before the Police Department’s own Internal Affairs investigation had been completed.
“We have been made aware of the C.C.R.B.’s findings,” the department’s top spokesman, Stephen Davis, said in a statement. “The department’s internal review is still ongoing.”
Stephen C. Worth, a union lawyer representing Officer Frascatore, said the “so-called substantiation is in no way a finding of any wrongdoing by any competent authority.” Mr. Worth added that he was confident that Officer Frascatore would eventually be exonerated. “This is a simple case of a good-faith misidentification which has been wildly blown out of proportion,” he said.
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Photo: ABC
