Police run-in altered man’s well-being: Testimony
Black preacher’s family and friends say alleged assault in 2012 affected him both physically and mentally
A parade of family members and friends testified Tuesday that they noticed changes in the physical and emotional wellbeing of Rikki Jeremiah after he was allegedly roughed up by Hamilton police in the early hours of Feb. 13, 2012.
Jeremiah, a 50-year-old black preacher with the Seventh Day Adventist Church on Hamilton Mountain, is suing Hamilton police and five officers for assault, false arrest and violating the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Jeremiah alleges he was lawfully seated in his car at the corner of King Street East and West Avenue North talking with a friend at around 1:45 a.m. when police surrounded his car, dragged him from the front seat without any reasonable cause and then pinned him on the ground with a knee in his groin.
On the second day of the civil trial, family and friends told court they noticed Jeremiah was limited in what he could do at work because of shoulder and back pain he allegedly suffered in the police altercation. Jeremiah is an auto mechanic and car dealer who lives in Stoney Creek.
They testified that Jeremiah was always a jovial, outgoing person who became more withdrawn after the incident with police.
Maureen Jeremiah said her husband came running up the stairs of their home in the early hours of Feb. 13 and told her he had “just been abused by the police,” she testified.
“His clothes were wet and dirty,” she said. “He was very upset, almost to tears.
“Emotionally, he was a wreck,” she added, noting her husband occasionally suffers nightmares about the incident.
Jeremiah’s 19-year-old son Rasheed said his father became emotionless in the aftermath of the altercation.
“It kind of seemed like he was dead,” he said.
Rasheed also testified his father has become more strict when it comes to police or being out late.
“He doesn’t want what happened to him happen to me or my sister,” he testified.
Jeremiah’s 19-year-old daughter Rasheeda — a twin to Rasheed — testified her father has become very protective since the incident.
“He gets nervous when it comes to things like driving or being out late,” she said.
The case continues Wednesday when it’s expected the defence will begin presenting its evidence.