NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WFSB) – A day after the arrest of five New Haven police officers, the family of the man who was left paralyzed in custody has spoken out.
Since June, Randy Cox’s family has been demanding not only the arrest but also the release of the officers.
After five months they got an answer. But those accusations have left her wanting more.
“Those allegations were a slap in the face, it really was,” Latoya Boomer said.
That’s how Randy Cox’s sister Latoya feels after learning the five officers who were with her brother the night he was paralyzed have only been charged with two counts: reckless second-degree endangerment and cruelty to them Persons.
“If that was me, my kids were home and one of them got hurt and I had nothing to do with it, hadn’t taken her to the hospital, I would be arrested right now,” Latoya said.
Speaking outside New Haven City Hall on Tuesday afternoon, Cox’s family and legal team said they were hoping for an assault charge.
“They have one misdemeanor, slap on the hand, while they will see little to no jail time and Randy Cox has a life sentence. How is that fair?” said Ben Crump, Cox family attorney.
Cox has been paralyzed from the neck down since June.
The 36-year-old was in the back of a van when the driver suddenly stopped to avoid an accident.
Cox flew headfirst into the door, immediately calling for help and saying he couldn’t move.
In the warrants, state police said officers behaved recklessly, depriving Cox of adequate physical care after he was unable to move.
The family and their legal team again urged the city to reach a settlement on their $100 million lawsuit, saying Randy would need round-the-clock care for the rest of his life, which alone would likely cost $20 million.
“It always takes longer than any of us would wish, but we have to follow the process. We must follow him for justice, and we must follow him to get the right outcome,” said New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.
It’s something Randy Cox is also hoping for as his sister shared his thoughts.
“He said: I know it’s just an arrest, but it’s a start, a beautiful start to getting justice. It’s time for a change, it’s not about me, it’s about the people who come after me, so no one else has to go through this,” Latoya said.
The five officers are due to appear in court for the first time next week.
Cox’s legal team is asking the public to show up as a show of support for their client, who cannot be there himself.
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