Man Beaten By Off-Duty Cops Seeking $25 Million

35-year-old Marlon Smith, who was allegedly beaten, pistol whipped and maced by two off-duty female cops during a road rage incident in the Bronx on August 15th, says he's suing the city for $25 million. According to a witness, the altercation was sparked when Kollen Robinson, 24, and Michelle Anglin, 37, yelled at Smith to close his car door so they could pass by in Robinson's SUV. An exchange of insults quickly became physical, with Robinson reportedly punching Smith while asking, "Do you know who you are f----ing with? We are the police."

Smith was hospitalized with 25 staples holding together the three gashes in his skull. The officers (not pictured here) have been stripped of their guns and badges and have pleaded not guilty to gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon, WABC reports. At a recent press conference, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said, "If these allegations prove true, it's a horrendous case, a horrendous situation."

Smith says he's suffered headaches and blurred vision since the beating, and tells the Daily News, "I keep having flashbacks to that moment. I'm just scared." Witness Cyle Perry-Osby, who tried to intervene and corroborates Smith's claim that the cops also pointed a gun in his face, explains, "The reason why I got involved was simply because it was wrong and the other party was just trying to get into his car...and to me seeing something like that is not something that should be going on no matter if it's cops or regular civilians in New York City."

Photo courtesy Kenyee.

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By John Del Signore in News on August 26, 2008 12:24 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Thank you, #13-15. These two invoked their police powers and anyone with an active commission is indemnified by the entity they serve, in this case, The City of New York. That's why police commissions aren't doled out like party favors ( I hope )and cops are trained rigorously (I hope) to avoid such situations. These two dingbats stepped over that blue line and they, as well as the City are liable for these acts, if a jury finds in this case.

sm124

As you all know from the news the trial is about to start and I will definately be watching because I want to be sure that the two so call bitches get what is coming to them. I am hoping a loooooooooooog ass jail time and I hope they get what is waiting for them in their jail cell (asswhooping will not be all - I hope). These pigs, bullies need to get what is coming to them. They are arrogant and a sorry ass of cops. They are the reason the good cops will never be recognized as such.To those who still believe that Mr Smith should not sue is stupid for the simple fact that if it was you that was beat up by any cops using such excessive force for just having your car door open and by the way the news clearly stated that they pulled up alongside him so they obviously had room to park their big ass jeep and identified themselves as cops and using weapons issued by the State of New York City would do the same and for more than $25 million.

jaycjay

"How can this guy hold the city responsible for this?"

The city selected them, gave them the weapons they used in the assault, gave them legal authority to carry those weapons, trained them in the use of those weapons, and chose to make them sworn law enforcement officers of the city 24-hours a day.

Seems pretty clear that the city has to take some responsibility. Bad for the rest of us, of course, who will have to pay the bill.

Rfive

They were off duty, but IDENTIFIED themselves as cops. With guns and probably a badge. That's how 2 women kicked his ass. I would have let them done the same to me and ka-ching! $$$$$.

They fcked up big time. More should happen to them besides losing their jobs, some protected (because they were former officers) jail time and an assault conviction. Not much past that...

Rocknrope

Jesus, what part of the "authority of law enforcement" don't you people get? It's not the same as being employed by some private company. If they made the declaration "We're cops!", then they were obviously using their position to be superior to the other individual, and then proceeded to beat him.

Pull My Finger

Iwould pay good money to be beaten by those hotties.

schadenfreudian mensch

@fishfryin

"why does everyone need to sue for lottery amounts these days?"

ummm because people don't like to work when they can play. With $25mm you could do a lot of playing.

fishfryin

at the same time this guy has a legitimate gripe, i'm wondering what the 25$ mil is for? couldn't he just sue to have his lifetime medical bills paid for and some extra cash on the side? why does everyone need to sue for lottery amounts these days?

PTG in nyc

So if I do something as heinous as this on my own time, my employer is somehow responsible for my actions? What BS. Yes they were off duty cops using brute force, but when's the last time a software engineer's (I am not one) employer was held responsible for an individual's illegal wire fraud while at home? Simply because one learns something at work that empowers them to be an asshole on the side doesn't make the teacher of those skills responsible.

There should be some sort of rewards system for cops that they only get pay raises when they stop costing the city millions and millions in lawsuits because of their ineptitude and general arrogance.

Clearly they need to be treated like they're in kindergarten, so collective punishment it is.

interlard

Wake me up when police brutality month is over. Perhaps we can hope that the recent pay increase will attract a better class of legitimized thug.

Mr Mel

I guess it's really bad if the NYPD stripped them of their guns and badges. Usually the PBA lawyer yells about cop bashing but are probably quiet now because this brutality goes even beyond their warped sense of justice.

Rocknrope

On a tangential note, what is up with people who leave their goddamn car doors wide open into traffic? I've also seen this repeatedly, and it baffles me.

When I open my driver side door and get in or out, I crack it open and creep out like I'm breaking into an apartment, and immediately shut it behind me. There seem to be alot of entitled dickheads out there who have the attitude "I can leave it wiiiide open, f y'all."

Lesson learned for Marlon.

Politburo

They weren't on duty, and they didn't "abuse their status as city employee". Anyone can claim they are a cop. Just because these people actually were doesn't mean that the city is now responsible for everything they do.

moocowtoo

>How can this guy hold the city responsible for this?

The city has 25 million dollars; the two women likely, do not.

kissel

they were not on duty, the city should not be held to account for their personal actions when on their own time, not in uniform and in their own vehicle.

killerasp

"How can this guy hold the city responsible for this? It was the choice of two individuals who were on their own free time. Yes, they identified themselves at cops, but I don't see how their decision to go all Naomi on this guy makes the city responsible. Make them pay. Not the city and by extension us taxpayers."

IMO, it makes the city responsible b/c they are

1. city employees (nypd)

2. apparently abused their status as city employee, even off duty.

whether they are on/off duty, they are a cop 24/7

MT

Can I ask a legitimate question?

How can this guy hold the city responsible for this? It was the choice of two individuals who were on their own free time. Yes, they identified themselves at cops, but I don't see how their decision to go all Naomi on this guy makes the city responsible. Make them pay. Not the city and by extension us taxpayers.