MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
A police officer accused choking a man during a traffic stop is out of a job tonight.
The Mount Juliet Police Department fired Cpl. William Cosby Wednesday.
Mount Juliet Police Chief Andy Garrett finished his internal investigation earlier this week.
On Wednesday morning, he met with Cosby, handed him a termination letter and fired him.
During a traffic stop in April, Cosby believed James Anders, Jr. tried to hide marijuana in his mouth. The officer used a choke hold to get Anders to spit it out. Anders eventually lost consciousness.
No marijuana was found in his mouth and a blood test for the drug was negative.
"He was terminated and one of the policies he was terminated was with handling of citizens and prisoners," Garrett said.
Garrett said he fired Cosby during a morning meeting.
"He was professional. He stated he understood," Garrett said. "He was presented with a letter from the city manager that concurred with my findings."
Cosby still faces criminal charges in the case.
Two weeks ago, a Wilson County grand jury indicted him on two counts of aggravated assault and one count of perjury.
Cosby is also being sued by Anders in federal court for $1 million for violating his civil rights.
His attorney believes the tape says it all.
"This video should be shown to trainees. This ain't how things are done," said Anders' attorney Gary Vandever.
Garrett said part of his investigation included new training for his officers.
"We went ahead and took care of retraining the whole department including Officer Cosby in other techniques to use to prevent the ingestion of evidence," he said.
Cosby is not a civil service employee so there is not an appeals process.
However, he is entitled to a hearing with City Manager Randy Robertson within 10 days.
Cosby has been in Louisiana for the last couple of weeks serving with the Tennessee National Guard.
When he returned earlier this week, he turned himself in at the Wilson County jail. He is free on a $5,000 bond.
Showing posts with label Cpl William Cosby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cpl William Cosby. Show all posts
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Officer William Cosby Faces Federal Lawsuit
NASHVILLE, Tenn.
A police officer accused of choking a Mount Juliet man faces $1 million federal lawsuit.
During a traffic stop in April, Cpl. Will Cosby questioned 26-year-old James Anders, Jr.
He thought Anders hid marijuana in his mouth and tried to stop him from swallowing the narcotic.
The traffic stop was recorded by a camera inside Cosby's squad car.
Anders collapsed unconscious.
On Monday, his attorney filed a $1.5. million lawsuit accusing Cosby, assisting officer James Crosslin and the city of Mount Juliet of violating his constitutional rights.
"He was being choked to death. That's what he felt at that time," said Ander's attorney Gary Vandever.
He said it shouldn't have happened. He filed the lawsuit in federal court alleging the officers' treatment was "unwarranted, cruel, abusive, unjustifiable and excessive and possibly fatal.
Vandever believes said the in-car video shown be shown to law enforcement trainees as an example of how not conduct themselves during traffic stops.
The lawsuit alleges assault and battery on behalf of the two officers.
It also accuses the city of negligence for hiring of Cosby, who had prior legal troubles as an officer in Lebanon.
Cosby remains on the job serving desk duty while the matter is investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The Wilson County district attorney asked the TBI to investigate whether Crosby or Crosslin violated any laws.
Officials said the case will likely go to a grand jury in August.
A police officer accused of choking a Mount Juliet man faces $1 million federal lawsuit.
During a traffic stop in April, Cpl. Will Cosby questioned 26-year-old James Anders, Jr.
He thought Anders hid marijuana in his mouth and tried to stop him from swallowing the narcotic.
The traffic stop was recorded by a camera inside Cosby's squad car.
Anders collapsed unconscious.
On Monday, his attorney filed a $1.5. million lawsuit accusing Cosby, assisting officer James Crosslin and the city of Mount Juliet of violating his constitutional rights.
"He was being choked to death. That's what he felt at that time," said Ander's attorney Gary Vandever.
He said it shouldn't have happened. He filed the lawsuit in federal court alleging the officers' treatment was "unwarranted, cruel, abusive, unjustifiable and excessive and possibly fatal.
Vandever believes said the in-car video shown be shown to law enforcement trainees as an example of how not conduct themselves during traffic stops.
The lawsuit alleges assault and battery on behalf of the two officers.
It also accuses the city of negligence for hiring of Cosby, who had prior legal troubles as an officer in Lebanon.
Cosby remains on the job serving desk duty while the matter is investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
The Wilson County district attorney asked the TBI to investigate whether Crosby or Crosslin violated any laws.
Officials said the case will likely go to a grand jury in August.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Officer William Cosby Jr Accused of Choking Man
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Mount Juliet police officer who is accused of choking a man during a traffic stop.
In August, a Wilson County Grand Jury indicted 36-year-old William Cosby Jr. in connection to an incident during a traffic stop in April, according to a TBI news release.
Cosby was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, one for bodily injury and one for fear of bodily injury, and one count of aggravated perjury.
He is accused of using a vascular restraint maneuver on James Lawrence Anders Jr., of Lebanon until Anders blacked out. The perjury charge stems from a report Cosby filled out accusing Anders of resisting arrest. Cosby was been booked into the Wilson County jail on a $5,000 bond.
Video and Story
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9013035
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has arrested a Mount Juliet police officer who is accused of choking a man during a traffic stop.
In August, a Wilson County Grand Jury indicted 36-year-old William Cosby Jr. in connection to an incident during a traffic stop in April, according to a TBI news release.
Cosby was indicted on two counts of aggravated assault, one for bodily injury and one for fear of bodily injury, and one count of aggravated perjury.
He is accused of using a vascular restraint maneuver on James Lawrence Anders Jr., of Lebanon until Anders blacked out. The perjury charge stems from a report Cosby filled out accusing Anders of resisting arrest. Cosby was been booked into the Wilson County jail on a $5,000 bond.
Video and Story
http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=9013035
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Lawsuit Filed In Mount Juliet Officer Incident
Alleged Victim Seeks $1 Million In Damages
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
Video of a Mount Juliet police officer accused of choking a driver in April could cost the city quite a bit of cash after a lawsuit was filed on Monday.
A lawsuit filed in district court accuses the Mount Juliet Police Department of being negligent in hiring the officer and should be liable for his actions. The traffic stop in early April violated James Anders constitutional rights, according to his attorney.
Police video shows that for nearly two minutes, police officer William Cosby had his hands around Anders' neck until he passed out.
Cosby said he was doing the choke move to keep Anders from swallowing marijuana, but his attorney said an independent drug test found no drugs in Anders system and all charges against him have been dropped
"We have alleged Officer Cosby violated 42 USC 1983, what is commonly known as police brutality statute," said attorney Gary Vandever.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of Anders, his attorney said the incident caused Anders physical pain and suffering extreme emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
"He has lost respect for the police. He's having nightmares about this," said Vandever.
The lawsuit said both Cosby and Officer James Crosslin should be held responsible personally along with the city of Mount Juliet Police Department.
They are asking for $1 million in punitive damages as punishment and $500,000 to compensate Anders.
The lawsuit alleges the police department is liable for failing to control and discipline the officers and was negligent in ever hiring Cosby because he had been accused of abuse when he worked as a police officer for the city of Lebanon.
"They had knowledge of his prior problems, and it's like the old adage every dog gets it's first bite free. Well, apparently he had several bites," said Vandever.
Cosby remains a police officer in Mount Juliet and received only a written reprimand. Because of this, the lawsuit said Mount Juliet police created an atmosphere of lawlessness and had a policy of inaction.
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
Video of a Mount Juliet police officer accused of choking a driver in April could cost the city quite a bit of cash after a lawsuit was filed on Monday.
A lawsuit filed in district court accuses the Mount Juliet Police Department of being negligent in hiring the officer and should be liable for his actions. The traffic stop in early April violated James Anders constitutional rights, according to his attorney.
Police video shows that for nearly two minutes, police officer William Cosby had his hands around Anders' neck until he passed out.
Cosby said he was doing the choke move to keep Anders from swallowing marijuana, but his attorney said an independent drug test found no drugs in Anders system and all charges against him have been dropped
"We have alleged Officer Cosby violated 42 USC 1983, what is commonly known as police brutality statute," said attorney Gary Vandever.
In a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of Anders, his attorney said the incident caused Anders physical pain and suffering extreme emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life.
"He has lost respect for the police. He's having nightmares about this," said Vandever.
The lawsuit said both Cosby and Officer James Crosslin should be held responsible personally along with the city of Mount Juliet Police Department.
They are asking for $1 million in punitive damages as punishment and $500,000 to compensate Anders.
The lawsuit alleges the police department is liable for failing to control and discipline the officers and was negligent in ever hiring Cosby because he had been accused of abuse when he worked as a police officer for the city of Lebanon.
"They had knowledge of his prior problems, and it's like the old adage every dog gets it's first bite free. Well, apparently he had several bites," said Vandever.
Cosby remains a police officer in Mount Juliet and received only a written reprimand. Because of this, the lawsuit said Mount Juliet police created an atmosphere of lawlessness and had a policy of inaction.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
TBI investigating officer accused of choking man
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating a traffic stop involving a Mt. Juliet police officer accused of performing "vascular restraint" on a man suspected of trying to swallow drugs.
Jason Holleman, a lawyer for the city, said Thursday the TBI is looking into the April 4 incident in which Cpl. William Cosby stopped a vehicle driven by James Lawrence Anders Jr.
Interim Mt. Juliet police chief James Hambrick said Cosby performed "vascular restraint" on Anders when he suspected he was going to swallow drugs, and that Anders temporarily blacked out.
WTVF-TV in Nashville reports the incident was caught on Cosby's patrol car video camera and shows him putting his hands around Anders' neck and applying pressure before he loses consciousness.
Anders was charged with possessing marijuana, resisting arrest and tampering with evidence. But his attorney said the charges were dropped last week by a local judge at the request of the state attorney general.
Hambrick said Cosby was still on the job and given a written reprimand for the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating a traffic stop involving a Mt. Juliet police officer accused of performing "vascular restraint" on a man suspected of trying to swallow drugs.
Jason Holleman, a lawyer for the city, said Thursday the TBI is looking into the April 4 incident in which Cpl. William Cosby stopped a vehicle driven by James Lawrence Anders Jr.
Interim Mt. Juliet police chief James Hambrick said Cosby performed "vascular restraint" on Anders when he suspected he was going to swallow drugs, and that Anders temporarily blacked out.
WTVF-TV in Nashville reports the incident was caught on Cosby's patrol car video camera and shows him putting his hands around Anders' neck and applying pressure before he loses consciousness.
Anders was charged with possessing marijuana, resisting arrest and tampering with evidence. But his attorney said the charges were dropped last week by a local judge at the request of the state attorney general.
Hambrick said Cosby was still on the job and given a written reprimand for the incident.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)