Protesters standing in front of Mayor Curt Leng’s house, Smith Dr., Hamden. Photo by Bryan Proctor.
On a bitter cold Wednesday evening police cars circled the neighborhood as Hamden Action Now stood in front of Hamden Mayor Curt Leng’s house demanding that Hamden Police Officer Devin Eaton be fired.
Protestors shouted.
“Justice for Stephanie! Justice for Paul! Discharge the officer now!”
On April 16, Hamden Police Officer, Devin Eaton, stopped a car while investigating an attempted armed robbery in Hamden. When the driver, Paul Witherspoon, was pulled over in New Haven, he stepped out of his car. Eaton fired his gun at the car 13 times, and a Yale Officer fired at the car 3 more times.
While Witherspoon wasn’t injured, 22-year-old passenger, Stephanie Washington, was seriously injured but survived.
Though Mayor Leng wasn’t home to see the protest, organizer of Hamden Action Now, Rhonda Caldwell, said he watched the group’s Facebook Live broadcast.
Eight different protesters took a turn with the microphone to give a speech.
“My message for the mayor tonight is that your police disturbed our neighborhood, Newhallville South Hamden, that’s my neighborhood,” said Laurie Sweet, a Hamden resident. “We are here to disturb yours.”
Laurie Sweet speaking in front of Leng’s house demanding justice for the police shooting that took place in April. Photo by Bryan Proctor.
Rodney Williams, Witherspoon’s uncle, showed up to the protest to express his frustration. Eaton was charged with a felony and a misdemeanor.
“If the state found enough evidence to convict him, not convict him but at least charge him, how is he still a Hamden officer?” Williams said. “Our family ain’t going to heal, the community ain’t going to heal, until this officer at least gets terminated.”
Rodney Williams said his family has been wronged by the mayor, the police, and the media. Left to right: Cassi Meyerhoffer, Kerry Ellington, Rodney Williams, Zach Carter. Photo by Bryan Proctor.
On April 16, there were reports of an attempted armed robbery at the Go On Gas Station. The suspect was said to be driving a red Honda Civic. Eaton and Yale officer, Terrance Pollock (who was not charged), investigated the reports.
Eaton pulled over Witherspoon’s car, and Pollock, arrived at the scene.
At 4:32 a.m., when Witherspoon stepped out of his car without being ordered to, Eaton fired 13 shots, and Pollack fired three more.
The two people in the car were later found to be unarmed.
In investigations, Eaton said he saw Witherspoon holding a gun in his hand, but an evidence report showed there was no gun in Witherspoon’s possession, or in the Civic. Hamden Police Commissioner, John Cappiello, stated in a press conference on Oct. 21, that the department will complete its internal investigation by Nov. 20.
On the day of the press conference Cappiello also announced Eaton was being put on unpaid leave from the department, and facing charges of first-degree assault (a felony), and two counts of first-degree reckless endangerment. Eaton posted bail of $100,000.
Kerry Ellington, a Hamden Action Now activist, says she doesn’t agree with the town conducting its internal investigation.
“The city is giving us the excuse that it needs to do its own internal investigation, even though this officer has been charged with felony charges,” said Ellington.
After her speech Ellington led a chant saying,
“No justice, no peace, no racist police!”
Kerry Ellington said she doesn’t agree with how Hamden’s handled Devin Eaton’s case. Kerry Ellington (left), Zach Carter (right). Photo by Bryan Proctor.
A week prior to the protest at Leng’s home on Oct. 30, protesters walked down Dixwell Avenue holding protests signs and blocking traffic. They walked to Leng’s office demanding justice and action. Protesters said Hamden Police Department contracts state that there must be a hearing about an officer’s unpaid leave status 10 days after the leave is given.
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“We will not ever stop fighting for justice for your family Mr. Williams.”
On Nov. 5, Eaton pleaded not guilty to his assault and reckless endangerment charges. He’s scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 10.
Protestors say a lack of justice by the Hamden Police Commission, and an insufficient show of remorse by Eaton continue to fuel their protests.
“You keep saying you’re waiting for the internal investigation to be completed before you can make a decision about the termination, but there is nothing in the union contract that says you have to do that. There is enough just cause to discharge the officer,” Cassie Meyerhoffer, professor of sociology at Southern Connecticut State University, said.
Cassie Meyerhoffer speaking to the crowd in front of Leng’s house. Left to right: Zach Carter, protestor, Justin M. Farmer. Photo by Bryan Proctor.
Protesters say they plan to show up at the Hamden Police Commission’s monthly meeting next Wednesday and will continue to fight until justice is served.
“We will not ever stop fighting for justice for your family Mr. Williams,” Caldwell said.
Rhonda Caldwell, organizer, speaking at the protest in front of Leng’s property. Photo by Bryan Proctor.