CHARGES FILED AGAINST OFFICER WHO PUNCHED HANDCUFFED WOMAN
By Gregory J. Lamoureux
County Courier
ST. ALBANS: A St. Albans Police Officer who punched an unarmed and handcuffed woman in March is being charged with Simple Assault, according to Vermont State Police.
The incident happened inside the St. Albans Police Station on March 15th, at around 12:13 a.m.
Jason Lawton, 31, of Fletcher was arrested this morning after a lengthy investigation by Vermont State Police. His arraignment has been scheduled for Monday.
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Lawton lost his job after the incident became public.
The victim, Amy Connelly, 35, of Highgate was in custody after being picked up for simple assault at a local bar. She is accused of tearing a man’s shirt and getting into a fight there.
Once back at the St. Albans Police Station, Lawton put Connelly inside a holding cell, where she began kicking at the door.
Lawton opened the cell door to tell Connelly to stop kicking the door, but when she attempted to kick him, Lawton pushed her backward into the cell’s cement wall. The altercation looked like it is coming to an end, when Lawton entered the cell, and punched the still handcuffed woman in the face.
According to Vermont State Police Detective Sergeant Jamie Wright, Connelly suffered injuries to her face and one of her eyes, caused by that blow.
Sevendays newspaper broke the story in August after Connelly’s attorney off the media outlet to video of the assault. That lead to a public backlash against the officer.
In court records, Lawton claimed that the punch was a diversion tactic, meant to stop Connelly from fighting while he could get the situation under control.
The case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office, who decided to prosecute the misdemeanor, punishable up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.
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