Man says he was injured during arrest

ALEXANDRIA BAY — A village man has filed a lawsuit against two village police officers claiming he was injured while being processed for what he alleges was a wrongful arrest.

Robert D. Peck filed state Supreme Court action Friday at the Jefferson County Clerk's office against Robin W. Pierce and Joshua David, as well as the village, claiming he was injured "both physically and mentally" while being "forcibly" arrested June 22, 2008, at the village police station.

According to court documents, Mr. Peck was at the police station facing a charge of obstruction of governmental administration and violations of disorderly conduct and trespass. Further information about the charges, which were later dismissed, was not available Friday.

Mr. Peck claims at the time of his arrest he was forced up against a wall by Officer Pierce while his wrist and arm were twisted "grotesquely" up and into his back. He was then handcuffed to a chair for more than 20 minutes, it is claimed.

Mr. Peck contends while this was occurring, he repeatedly told the officers his arm had been broken previously and was not flexible and he was "in great pain." He claims the officers continued to twist his arm, causing injury.

According to court documents, Mr. Peck suffered, among other injuries, a sprained right arm and wrist, a shoulder sprain, numbness in his arm and shoulder, tingling in his hand, a torn rotator cuff and exacerbation of a pre-existing injury to his left arm.

Additionally, Mr. Peck claims the arrest has subjected him to "humiliation, embarrassment and scorn among those who knew him in Alexandria Bay and elsewhere" and caused him to spend "large sums of money" to defend himself against what he claims were "false" charges.

Mr. Peck referred additional questions about the incident to his attorney, Henry J. Leader, Gouverneur, who was unavailable for comment Friday. Neither Mr. Pierce nor Mr. David could be reached for comment Friday.

The village is named in the suit for, among other things, allegedly not properly training or supervising its employees. Mr. Peck's wife, Ellen, also is named as a plaintiff for the claimed effects her husband's injuries have had on her.

The amount being sought in damages is not specified.