Nov 7, 2008 5:57 am US/Eastern
NYPD 'Walkie-Talkie Sodomy' Accusations Heat Up
Victim Goes Before Grand Jury To Explain What Happened; Transit Officer May Have Broken Ranks To Testify
Doctors Say Michael Mineo Was Victim Of 'Anal Assault'
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Prosecutors are investigating allegations that five NYPD officers attacked tattoo parlor worker Michael Mineo and sodomized him with a walkie-talkie in a subway station.
CBS
Michael Mineo, who claims police sodomized him in a subway station last month, went before a grand jury on Thursday.
So did a police officer who might testify against the other officers.
One of the accused officers was involved in a brutality case just last year -- a story CBS 2 HD first reported.
Mineo told his story Thursday and then addressed the media.
"These are people who are supposed to be protecting us – and they did this to me in broad daylight, in the afternoon," Mineo said.
One of the four officers standing by on Oct. 15 when Mineo was tackled in the subway, but not the officer who allegedly assaulted Mineo's rear with a radio -- Officer Richard Kern, was also standing by in January 2007, in a basement when fellow officers from the 71st Precinct apparently brutalized four young men in a story only seen on CBS 2 HD. They were charged with trespass, except they lived in the building.
"Jonathan comes out, they lay him on the floor, he lays down flat on his back, and he grabs him by the neck, and shakes his head, and his head hits the floor," victim Ramel Stallings said on Jan. 19, 2007.
"They could've killed these kids down here, and no one would know anything," mother Tammi Stallings added that night.
New York City wound up paying $50,000 to settle federal cases where Officer Kern was named as being present, but not stopping the brutality. Now, Kern is once again in a similar situation.
In addition, it now appears a transit officer has broken ranks. His lawyer explained Thursday that the officer went to the grand jury, maybe to discuss what allegedly happened to Mineo.
"I've advised my client to do what he believes is right," attorney Paul Martin said. "And as a New York City Police officer he believes that coming forth and discussing and speaking the truth about what transpired on that day is the right thing to do."
''I was violated by the police, and I feel like they're going to be brought to justice,'' he told reporters Thursday outside the courthouse after testifying. ''At first, I felt like people weren't believing me. Now that things are coming to light, I feel better. I'm know I'm going to receive justice.''
Mineo, who insisted after he testified that police sodomized him, said he hasn't been the same since the encounter.
''I can't eat. I only get an hour's sleep,'' he told reporters. ''I'm paranoid. I'm scared for my own safety.''
Somewhere in all these stories, the truth will emerge. And right now, as someone in law enforcement told CBS 2 HD: "It doesn't look good for the cops."
All of the officers have been placed on modified duty.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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