I'd just like to thank everyone - close friends, acquaintances, and others for the many good wishes you've posted on here following my recent bout of ill health.
On the 1st of January I was walking home with my girlfriend after a night out in Queens, NYC when I was knocked to the ground and handcuffed by two New York policeman on Astoria Boulevard. I was told I'd been spotted 'pissing in a parking lot' (not true as I was only 200 yrds from my gfs apartment) and that I was under arrest. Despite enjoying new years eve I was sober and in fairly calm spirits.
I was then taken to the 43rd precinct and told I was under arrest although no charges were presented at that time. All my possessions were confiscated - including my insulin. I was told I couldn't have it back as they didn't know what it was. I had both ID in my possession and a card confirming I was a diabetic.
From there I was transferred to central booking in Queens - pistol whipped on the back en route for not showing 'respect' - and locked in shackles and chains. In the holding pen my health began to deteriorate severely. Again I raised this with the EMT in the jail but they said I was 'acting' and to 'shut up'. At this point I collapsed in the cell but nothing was done for 2 hours before eventually I was taken to hospital.
Once there I was suffering from ketoacidosis and a blood sugar count of 60 mmol (10 times higher than normal) - high enough to kill basically and put on a drip. During all of this I was handcuffed to the bed and my legs were still in shackles. I had an armed guard in case I felt like 'running away'. The hospital was full of gang members and crack addicts and was swarming with cops.
After 10 hours I insisted I was discharged and taken back to central booking where I was told I'd be put before a judge - at this point i was still not aware of what I was being charged with. It then became apparent that they had nothing to charge me with. Had I been pissing in the parking lot, this violation would have carried a 25 dollar fine. However, as it was new years eve the cops who arrested me decided they could make double-time by arresting people at the end of their shift, then 'putting them through the system' . At the precinct I watched as scores of guys were being booked for non-offences.
I had to pay $2500 for a manhatten lawyer.
When I finally went before the judge - I was told the police wanted me charged with " depositing offensive material in public" ( or something like that). My lawyer informed me this somewhat obscure piece of legislation is normally used against, and I quote, " travelling circuses in the city who fail to clean up their elephant dung."
Although central booking in Queens contained one or two scary characters most were in the same position as myself. They'd been lifted by bent cops on new year looking to make overtime. One guy was even in there for 'throwing his bed in the air'. Seemingly his mother (who lives in the apartment below him) called the police when she heard a noise from upstairs. He'd thrown his bed in the air after being upset at a film on TV. This led to his arrest.
The entire trial took 37 seconds - I timed it on my watch - before all charges were dropped.
I'm now at home seeing if there's permanent damage to my kidneys and or other organs and intend to sue NYPD. I'm not holding my breath though.
I'd just like to thank everyone - close friends, acquaintances, and others for the many good wishes you've posted on here following my recent bout of ill health.
On the 1st of January I was walking home with my girlfriend after a night out in Queens, NYC when I was knocked to the ground and handcuffed by two New York policeman on Astoria Boulevard. I was told I'd been spotted 'pissing in a parking lot' (not true as I was only 200 yrds from my gfs apartment) and that I was under arrest. Despite enjoying new years eve I was sober and in fairly calm spirits.
I was then taken to the 43rd precinct and told I was under arrest although no charges were presented at that time. All my possessions were confiscated - including my insulin. I was told I couldn't have it back as they didn't know what it was. I had both ID in my possession and a card confirming I was a diabetic.
From there I was transferred to central booking in Queens - pistol whipped on the back en route for not showing 'respect' - and locked in shackles and chains. In the holding pen my health began to deteriorate severely. Again I raised this with the EMT in the jail but they said I was 'acting' and to 'shut up'. At this point I collapsed in the cell but nothing was done for 2 hours before eventually I was taken to hospital.
Once there I was suffering from ketoacidosis and a blood sugar count of 60 mmol (10 times higher than normal) - high enough to kill basically and put on a drip. During all of this I was handcuffed to the bed and my legs were still in shackles. I had an armed guard in case I felt like 'running away'. The hospital was full of gang members and crack addicts and was swarming with cops.
After 10 hours I insisted I was discharged and taken back to central booking where I was told I'd be put before a judge - at this point i was still not aware of what I was being charged with. It then became apparent that they had nothing to charge me with. Had I been pissing in the parking lot, this violation would have carried a 25 dollar fine. However, as it was new years eve the cops who arrested me decided they could make double-time by arresting people at the end of their shift, then 'putting them through the system' . At the precinct I watched as scores of guys were being booked for non-offences.
I had to pay $2500 for a manhatten lawyer.
When I finally went before the judge - I was told the police wanted me charged with " depositing offensive material in public" ( or something like that). My lawyer informed me this somewhat obscure piece of legislation is normally used against, and I quote, " travelling circuses in the city who fail to clean up their elephant dung."
Although central booking in Queens contained one or two scary characters most were in the same position as myself. They'd been lifted by bent cops on new year looking to make overtime. One guy was even in there for 'throwing his bed in the air'. Seemingly his mother (who lives in the apartment below him) called the police when she heard a noise from upstairs. He'd thrown his bed in the air after being upset at a film on TV. This led to his arrest.
The entire trial took 37 seconds - I timed it on my watch - before all charges were dropped.
I'm now at home seeing if there's permanent damage to my kidneys and or other organs and intend to sue NYPD. I'm not holding my breath though.
Hammy