Trenton was still litigating suit when AG released footage
TRENTON » Smells like coordination.
City police director Sheilah Coley broke her silence about the in-custody death of a Pennsylvania man, calling his passing “tragic.”
Her statement came a day after the AG’s office released three body-camera videos that showed city cops’ encounter with Stephen Dolceamore, 29, on April 3 outside St. Francis Hospital.
The Pennsylvania man told cops he couldn’t breathe as they had him pinned on the ground on his stomach.
“This tragic incident illustrates why the Trenton Police Department must continue to expand its efforts to be more accountable to the community we serve,” Coley said in a statement Friday. “We must increase the rate at which we review complaints from area residents and, when necessary, take departmental disciplinary action. This matter was immediately referred to the N.J. Attorney General’s Office when it happened earlier this year.”
The case wasn’t referred to the AG’s office; in-custody deaths — taken out of the hands of county prosecutors — are investigated by the AG’s Office as part of a law signed last year by Gov. Phil Murphy.
No officers have been charged as the investigation continues.
The AG’s office shared autopsy findings and the videos with Dolceamore’s family before publicly releasing them.
In its statement Thursday, the AG did not reveal the cause and manner of Dolceamore’s death.
The Trentonian had filed records requests with the Middlesex coroner and AG’s office for the autopsy but still has not received a copy of the report.
The AG’s office said a grand jury will ultimately decide whether to charge the officers.
In her statement, Coley boasted “more Trenton Police officers are equipped with body cameras.” The city didn’t acknowledge how it has repeatedly fought this newspaper to keep footage secret.
The Trentonian filed suit after it was denied access to police records, body camera, radio transmissions and the 911 tape in the Dolceamore case under the state’s Open Public Records Act.
In a previous interview, Mayor Reed Gusciora refused to own the city’s fight against transparency.
“I’m a great believer in the process,” he said. “If you win, God bless you.”
The three body camera videos, covering roughly 23 minutes, were released days before the city’s Sept. 8 deadline to file opposition papers in the lawsuit.
Cristal Holmes-Bowie, the attorney representing the city, on June 20 asked for an extension.
“As your honor may know, due to the COVID 19 health emergency the City is still staffed at about half its normal capacity on any given day, with the remainder of the staff working remotely, as am I,” she wrote. “In addition vacation schedules of the City’s staff that would provide assistance or certifications to me to respond have affected my ability to timely file my response. The COVID 19 pandemic has also created delays in other state agencies involved in the determination to release records.”
Aug. 21 argument was rescheduled for Sept. 24. The city’s attorney has since reached out to The Trentonian about settling the case.
“As your client has probably advised you, the AG released the body worn camera videos in this case along with a press release this evening,” Holmes-Bowie wrote within hours of the release of the tapes. “If you are available to talk tomorrow let me know. Also a conference with Judge [Mary] Jacobson might be useful to resolve this matter.”
The Trentonian identified Sgt. Anthony Manzo as one of the officers who used force on Dolceamore.
A city spokesman punted to the AG’s office when asked for the names of all officers who used force on the Pennsylvania man.
The AG’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Trentonian sought use-of-force reports in its records request to identify the officers.
Coley said the department is implementing training to teach cops how to restrain subjects without using force.
“TPD officers are contending with a simultaneous uptick in crime and a greater demand for accountability. I’m confident that my officers can – and will – meet that challenge. Trenton residents deserve nothing less,” she said.