...THE TEEN REPORTED THAT KNIGHT HAD SLAPPED HIS SON, GRABBED HIM AROUND THE NECK AND PUSHED HIS HEAD UP AGAINST THE SIDE WINDOW OF KNIGHT'S PICKUP TRUCK AS THE TWO DROVE TOWARD THEIR HOME... ...WITH HIS WIFE AT HIS SIDE, WARREN KNIGHT LEFT THE NEW LONDON COURTROOM THURSDAY WITH WHAT HE SAID WAS A SENSE OF REDEMPTION. "I PUT MYSELF IN THE HANDS OF THE SYSTEM THAT I REPRESENT, CONFIDENT THE TRUTH WOULD PREVAIL AND I WOULD BE EXONERATED," KNIGHT SAID...[I can't picture that Knight's head-hit was a "slap" in a moving car. I'm lookin' at big man here, and I just don't see an open handed palm to the cheek move.]
Previous entry:
[CT] Judge Strackbein doesn't protect Officer Knight's son & assures cop this can be resolved
...Knight told police he was disciplining his son - “acting in a parental intervention role.” Judge Hillary Strackbein told Knight that after meeting with family relations officials and avoiding any further incidents, “things should work out”...
OFFICER ASSAULT CASE DROPPED
Norwich Bulletin
By By GREG SMITH Norwich Bulletin
Jul 11, 2008
NEW LONDON - State prosecutors have decided not to pursue criminal charges against the Norwich police officer accused of assaulting his teenage son. With his wife at his side, Warren Knight left the New London courtroom Thursday with what he said was a sense of redemption. "I put myself in the hands of the system that I represent, confident the truth would prevail and I would be exonerated," Knight said. Knight, 45, of Lisbon, was charged with third-degree assault and disorderly conduct by state police, based on complaints made by his 17-year-old son. His son told police Knight struck and choked him after an April 28 argument. According to the police warrant affidavit in the case, an argument that started on the way home from his son's detention at Norwich Free Academy escalated when the son swore at his father. Knight said the exaggerated claims to police were fostered by his ex-wife. The charges prompted an internal investigation and landed Knight on desk duty for several weeks. After review of the case, the court's family relations division recommended dropping prosecution, state prosecutor Peter McShane said. Additionally, the Department of Children and Families did not substantiate claims by the son, he said. Judge Kevin P. McMahon agreed to nolle the case, which means the state will not pursue prosecution. The case may be reopened within the next 13 months, however. In court, McShane said Knight's police training should have allowed him to handle the situation with his son, "better than he did." Knight said he was just glad it was over. He said it was "unfortunate it was dragged through the media."
"The department didn't deserve the bad publicity over a family issue that should have never made it this far. But everyone was supportive," Knight said.
Knight's wife, Christine Knight, said her husband "has always put his children first as long as I have known him." While the internal investigation into the incident is ongoing, Norwich Police Capt. Timothy Menard said Thursday's ruling likely would "close the final chapter." Reach Greg Smith at 425-4219 or gasmith@norwichbulletin.com [Full article here]
NORWICH POLICE OFFICER WON'T BE PROSECUTED ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CHARGE
The Day
By Karen Florin
7/10/2008
The case against Norwich police officer Warren Knight, who was charged with assaulting his 17-year-old son in Lisbon in April, will not be prosecuted. Judge Kevin P. McMahon "nolled" the charges of second-degree breach of peace and third-degree assault this morning at the recommendation of the court's family relations division. Knight, 45, had been referred to the family relations program at his initial court appearance on May 29. Knight is a 23-year veteran of the police department. State police obtained a warrant for his arrest after the teen reported that Knight had slapped his son, grabbed him around the neck and pushed his head up against the side window of Knight's pickup truck as the two drove toward their home. Knight was angry at his son because he had just heard the teen was accused of cheating on a homework assignment, according to state police.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS NOT A FAMILY ISSUE OR A PRIVATE MATTER. IT IS A CRIME - EVEN FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILIES, OUR CHILDHOOD FIRE HEROES, AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS!
I do believe this was a Family matter that was thrust unnecessarily into the public eye. I have had two dealings with Mr. Knight while he was in uniform and can say nothing but good things. Very caring, professional and fair!
ReplyDelete-Norwich Citizen
That doesn't make any sense. He's nice in uniform so it's his business if he commits domestic violence at home?
ReplyDeleteThis is the same judge that held me in jail for this comment.I read a news story on channel 3 ct. news about a guy that burned himself up at a gas station.I have always had a dark sense of humor and do not agree with Gov. Malloys political views so I typed that I think we should douse Malloy and lite him up.I thought of it as nothing more than a sarcastic comment.Was I wrong I was arrested for threatening the Governor.I spent 4 months and a week at Hartford Correctional Center on $200,000 bond Judge Strackbien refused to consider a bond reduction during this time.I had not even had a parking ticket in 59 years of life.After going back and forth to court I finally settled for Accelerated Rehabilitation to get out of jail.I always had faith in the justice system but that faith has been shaken to the core.I would hate to imagine that this was a political hatchet job I just do not know.
ReplyDeleteOh, you can't say those kind of things anymore. You don't sound convinced yet. I hope you find another way to express your disagreeing with others because that one is dangerous and frightening.
Delete