NASHUA, N.H. — Troopers in two states were suspended Thursday amid an ongoing criminal investigation into police use of force against a suspect who was filmed being beaten by officers after apparently surrendering following a long high-speed chase.
NASHUA, N.H. — Troopers in two states were suspended Thursday amid an ongoing criminal investigation into police use of force against a suspect who was filmed being beaten by officers after apparently surrendering following a long high-speed chase.
One Massachusetts state trooper and one New Hampshire state trooper were suspended after a 50-mile police pursuit that started in Holden, Massachusetts, and ended in Nashua, New Hampshire. The driver, Richard Simone Jr., was arrested after he stepped slowly from his pickup truck, kneeled and put his hands on the ground. Footage from a news helicopter shows officers then setting upon him, pummeling him with punches.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker and New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan expressed concern about the events shown in the video.
“I thought the video was incredibly disturbing and I’m anxious to work with the folks in New Hampshire to get moving on the investigation and to figure out what’s what as quickly as possible and take the appropriate action,” said Baker, a Republican.
Hassan said she had reached out to authorities about the video.
“I have been in contact with the attorney general and the Commissioner of Safety,” said Hassan, a Democrat. “It is important and appropriate that the attorney general’s office has opened an investigation into the incident.”
In court Thursday, Simone agreed to be taken back to Massachusetts to face outstanding warrants there on assault with a deadly weapon and larceny. His court-appointed lawyer, Tony Sculimbrene, said Simone would seek medical attention but would not elaborate after the hearing. When asked why he made the statement, he replied, “I think everybody here knows the basis.”
The focus, however, centered on the officers’ actions after the chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph.
Jeffery A. Strelzin, a senior assistant attorney general in New Hampshire, said his office would be investigating “what force was used, by whom, and whether it was appropriate under the law.”
New Hampshire state police Col. Robert Quinn said at a news conference Thursday that his agency would also conduct an internal investigation.
“I want the public and law enforcement personnel to know that the division of state police does not condone the unjustified use of force and it will not be tolerated,” Quinn said.
Quinn called the video disturbing and said he suspended one of his troopers without pay and stripped him all law enforcement authority. Massachusetts Col. Richard McKeon said he also suspended a trooper, pending an internal hearing scheduled for Friday.
Simone was arraigned on a fugitive-from-justice charge in Nashua District Court and was expected to be turned over to Massachusetts authorities. It wasn’t clear when that would happen.