STATEMENT BY MAYOR ELICKER ON THE JURY’S VERDICT IN THE LAWSUIT MORANT V. CITY OF NEW HAVEN ET AL.

[NEW HAVEN, CT] - Following the jury's verdict in the lawsuit Stefon Morant v. the City of New Haven, et al. heard in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, Mayor Justin Elicker issued the following statement:

"No person should ever serve time for a crime they did not commit, and any wrongful incarceration is a miscarriage of justice that needs to be rectified. At the same time, it is also important to hold the appropriate individuals and entities accountable who intentionally caused a wrongful conviction.

The actions and conduct that the jury found Mr. Raucci and Mr. Maher committed are reprehensible, and the pain and suffering that Mr. Morant endured cannot be conveyed in words.

At the same time, we are deeply disappointed and disagree with the jury's verdict, and it is the city's position that there was not a "widespread practice" of misconduct as alleged at the New Haven Police Department. The New Haven Police Department had clear policies, practices and training for its officers at the time of this incident and never condoned the deviation from this code of conduct or an individual's constitutional civil rights.

The city and its residents should not be made to pay damages for the actions of two officers who knowingly wrongfully engaged in isolated, unsanctioned actions over 35 years ago. That is unfair to the hard-working residents and taxpayers of New Haven, and the city will appeal."

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PRESS CONTACT:

Lenny Speiller | (203) 725-4249 ; [email protected]