Jun 6, 2009 8:46 am US/Eastern
Video Captures Alleged Case Of NJ Police Brutality
Ronnie Holloway Claims He Didn't Do Anything To Deserve Beatdown Handed Out By Passaic, N.J., Police Officer
PASSAIC, N.J. (CBS) ―
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The black eye and a telling surveillance video seem to suggest that Ronnie Holloway was manhandled during an altercation with Passaic Police recently.
CBS
It's a disturbing allegation of police brutality.
It stems from a violent encounter between a Passaic, N.J., cop and a mentally ill man.
The entire incident was recorded by a surveillance camera mounted outside a nearby restaurant.
With a swollen eye and bruised ribs, Ronnie Holloway claimed to wonder what led to it all.
"I know I deserve better the way I was treated," Holloway said.
The way he was treated by Passaic Police was captured on surveillance camera at a restaurant. The 49-year-old is seen walking with his chest and belly exposed. Moments later, police arrive and, according to Holloway, tell him to cover himself, which he appears to be doing while still conversing with police. Then an officer gets out of the car ...
"He grabbed me with both hands at the collar area real physically hard and just flung me up against the police vehicle," Holloway said.
Holloway is then thrown to the ground and punched several times. Then the baton comes out, followed by swings to the ribs.
"I recall him saying, 'get down' as he swung, but he kept swinging like that," Holloway said.
Holloway is seen getting up and is pushed against the squad car again, then swung around, followed by two more baton swings to the legs. Holloway was hauled away when back-up squads arrived and insists he never resisted or said a word to Passaic Police during the entire 90-second incident, but it's clear from the video that he was saying something.
CBS 2 HD: "You don't recall saying anything, yelling anything, saying anything that was provocative?"
Holloway: "No."
Regardless of what may have been said, the family said it hardly justifies the physicality that followed.
"A lawsuit is likely," mother Betty Holloway said.
Holloway's mother also said her disabled son has schizophrenia.
"He's a good person," she said.
CBS 2 HD: "Is it possible his schizophrenia may have done something to provoke police?"
Betty Holloway: "No, because he wasn't doing anything. He was standing."
Passaic Police said the incident is under investigation and won't answer any questions, including why the officer is still on active duty.
"I feel he should definitely lose his job because it's not fair to be treated that way," Ronnie Holloway said.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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