ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW 74 CHAPEL STREET, ALBANY NEW YORK 12207 (518) 434-1493 Fax (518) 432-7806

www.Kindlon.com

SHANKS & ASSOCIATES

KINDLON

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

This morning, The City of Troy and several members of the Troy Police Department were served with a lawsuit alleging assault, battery, false arrest, excessive force and malicious prosecution. The lawsuit, brought in Federal District Court in Albany, was filed by Terence Kindlon of Kindlon Shanks & Associates on behalf of John Larkins. On the evening of August 27, 2011, John M. Larkins brought his Aunt to St. Marys Hospital in Troy. She was injured in an accident at her home and required immediate medical attention. For reasons currently unknown, City of Troy Police Officers were called to the hospital. Upon their arrival, the City of Troy Police Officers approached Mr. Larkins, interrogated him, and accused him of domestic violence. Mr. Larkins Aunt is hearing impaired and was unable to understand why City of Troy Police Officers were questioning her nephew. Naturally, she became upset. Even though the Officers had absolutely no probable cause to believe Plaintiff had committed a crime, they told Mr. Larkins he was under arrest. Mr. Larkins voluntarily extended his arms palm up to be handcuffed. The officers grabbed Mr. Larkins, bent back his hand, and put a taser to his head. The officers knocked Mr. Larkins to the ground. Then, one of the officers tased Mr. Larkins in his head and neck area numerous times while his fellow officers stood by and did not intervene to stop the assault. At no time did Mr. Larkins resist arrest. The officers handcuffed Mr. Larkins and put him in the back of a police car. While Mr. Larkins was handcuffed in the back of the police car an officer sprayed Mr. Larkins in the face with mace. Again, fellow officers stood by and did not intervene to stop the assault. To add insult to actual injury, the police then charged him with assault and resisting arrest After Mr. Larkins was acquitted at trial, Terence Kindlon and Gennaro Calabrese, his attorneys, brought suit in District Court. As a result of the officers actions, Mr. Larkins suffered severe and permanent physical injuries, pain and suffering, financial hardship and intentional infliction of emotional harm and other items of damages. Seeking unspecified damages, the lawsuit is just the latest allegation of wrongdoing for a police force beset by accusations of wrongdoing and mistreatment of the public they are sworn to protect.

(Complaint Attached) ***