A Massachusetts driver caught on video being pummeled by police after a chase May 11 was struck at least 22 times in 20-seconds, according to an investigation that has two state troopers now charged with assault.
The New Hampshire attorney general’s office filed misdemeanor simple assault charges Tuesday against New Hampshire State Trooper Andrew P. Monaco, 31, of Pelham and Massachusetts State Trooper Joseph H.V. Flynn, 32, of North Tewksbury, Massachusetts, for their conduct apprehending Richard Simone Jr.
Monaco is charged with three counts, and Flynn is charged with two.
Although a misdemeanor, the statute the troopers are accused of breaking carries enhanced penalties of two to five years in prison, compared with 12 months in a county jail for a simple assault charge, said Associate Attorney General Jane Young.
A video shot by a television news helicopter following an interstate chase on May 11 was subpoenaed by investigators and shows Simone being repeatedly struck by Flynn and Monaco.
The investigation found:
– Nine law enforcement officers were on scene when Simone stopped his car and was ordered out. Monaco allegedly was the first to throw a punch. An officer “had his weapon drawn on Simone and was issuing commands to Simone and believed that he was in control of the situation when Trooper Monaco rushed in, crossed into his line of fire and began punching Simone.”
– Monaco needed medical attention for cuts on his knuckles after the assault.
– Immediately after the arrest, Monaco told his state police supervisor: “Sarge, I’m sorry, I f— up. I just ruined my life over one s—.”
The investigation took two months, during which time New Hampshire authorities refused to identify Monaco, even though Flynn’s name had surfaced in connection with the incident. New Hampshire authorities would only acknowledge that a trooper had been suspended without pay after the incident.
The troopers will be arraigned in Nashua District Court on Sept. 13.
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