The victim says he is still suffering the effects of the beating.
Another New York City police officer was under investigation on Wednesday for allegedly punching a 17-year-old boy who was already laying on the ground, WABC-TV reported.
The family of Marcel Hamer also filed a $5 million civil rights lawsuit against the police department and released video of Hamer’s encounter with the unidentified plainclothes officer on June 4. The 55-second clip begins with Hamer on the ground and being held by one arm by the officer, saying, “Mister, it was just a cigarette, sir. It was just a cigarette.”
The Brooklyn Paper reported that the incident began when the officer got out of his car after seeing Hamer, who was 16 years old at the time, smoking while walking down the street, and accused him of smoking marijuana. The camera moves just as the officer allegedly punches Hamer, but a loud thumping noise can be heard in the background. Hamer’s body appears to be limp for the remainder of the clip.