19 year old Robert Jackson insists he did nothing wrong
and can’t understand why police pummeled him to the ground, punched and kicked
him on a Flatbush street.
The incident January 8th was captured on cellphone video
shown to the media by Jackson’s lawyer. Jacques Leandre says his client was not
resisting arrest, as police claim, but trying to move his arm that was pressed
under his chest.
“He was pleading for help as poilice were pressing his
face against the pavement. He kept screaming, ‘stop, stop.’” Jackson’s cries
are clearly audible on the video. A couple of officers are seen holding the
teen down. They are joined by others, one kicks him, while another appears to
throw a punch.
At a news conference with members of the clergy and
community leaders who voiced outrage and demanded answers from police, Jackson
asked, “How could they do this to me? I didn’t do anything wrong.” Police have
charged Jackson with resisting arrest, assaulting a police officer and
marijuana possession.
In response to the charge of brutality, a statement from
NYPD says, “We are aware of the matter an d have turned it over to the Civilian
Complaint Review Board.
