Man Beaten by Police Gets $3 Mil

JERRY CAPECI. New York Daily News. New York, N.Y.: Jun 19, 1998. pg. 6
Copyright Daily News, L.P. Jun 19, 1998
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A Haitian immigrant who was dragged from his car and beaten by unidentified cops during the Crown Heights riots won a $3.14 million award yesterday from a Brooklyn jury that found he was falsely arrested and brutalized.

“It was terrible,” said Pierre Regis, recalling the unprovoked beating he suffered the night of Aug. 19, 1991.

“I’m happy about the money, but the most important thing is I wish they could fire the police that beat me,” said Regis, of Rockland County, who suffered permanent brain damage from the assault.

State Supreme Court Justice Martin Schneier denied a motion by Michael Sonkin, assistant corporation counsel, to set aside the decision by six black female jurors who deliberated about eight hours over two days.

“Good luck, Mr. Regis,” said Schneier, as Regis, 37, his mother, Adelcina, 58, and two other relatives left the courtroom.

The jury awarded Regis $2.5 million for past and future pain and suffering, $475,000 for loss of earnings, $165,000 for medical expenses and $2,000 for his false arrest.

Regis’ lawyer, Glenn Miller, who used civilian and police witnesses to prove his case, echoed his client’s call for authorities to “crack the blue wall of silence.”

“I call on the mayor and the U.S. attorney to find out who did this to my client,” said Miller, angry that six cops at the scene testified they did not see who inflicted the many face and head injuries Regis suffered.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Giuliani said the matter would be investigated.

A representative of Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Zachary Carter said an investigation of Regis’ beating was unable to uncover his assailants and that the statute of limitations has expired. By JERRY CAPECI

A Haitian immigrant who was dragged from his car and beaten by unidentified cops during the Crown Heights riots won a $3.14 million award yesterday from a Brooklyn jury that found he was falsely arrested and brutalized.

“It was terrible,” said Pierre Regis, recalling the unprovoked beating he suffered the night of Aug. 19, 1991.

“I’m happy about the money, but the most important thing is I wish they could fire the police that beat me,” said Regis, of Rockland County, who suffered permanent brain damage from the assault.

State Supreme Court Justice Martin Schneier denied a motion by Michael Sonkin, assistant corporation counsel, to set aside the decision by six black female jurors who deliberated about eight hours over two days.

“Good luck, Mr. Regis,” said Schneier, as Regis, 37, his mother, Adelcina, 58, and two other relatives left the courtroom.

The jury awarded Regis $2.5 million for past and future pain and suffering, $475,000 for loss of earnings, $165,000 for medical expenses and $2,000 for his false arrest.

Regis’ lawyer, Glenn Miller, who used civilian and police witnesses to prove his case, echoed his client’s call for authorities to “crack the Blue Wall of Silence.”

“I call on the mayor and the U.S. attorney to find out who did this to my client,” said Miller, angry that six cops at the scene testified they did not see who inflicted the many face and head injuries Regis suffered.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Giuliani said the matter would be investigated.

A representative of Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Zachary Carter said an investigation of Regis’ beating was unable to uncover his assailants and that the statute of limitations has expired.

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