A Hartford courtroom has opted not to prosecute a local teen who was arrested in a highly publicized incident during which police shot him with a Taser in August.
According to the clerk's office, Hartford Superior Court has dropped the case against 18-year-old Luis Anglero, who was charged with second-degree breach of peace and interfering with an officer while police were breaking up an unruly crowd on Aug. 19.
Anglero's injuries sent him to the hospital, and the detective's use of a Taser sparked public outrage. Surveillance footage from the scene shows Anglero dropping to the ground when the Taser discharges.
Just prior to the decision on Wednesday morning, protesters rallied outside the courthouse on Lafayette Street in Hartford to urge the court to drop all charges against Anglero.
It seems the judge heard them.
The charges were nolled and will remain on Anglero's record for 13 months before being erased altogether, according to the state.
The Hartford police department launched an investigation into the conduct of Det. Shawn Ware, who tased Anglero, and cleared him of misconduct allegations in late September. The 77-page report found that "the force used by Detective Ware was within policy and permissible."
Community members have lined up "victory" celebrations in response to the court decision, including one slated for 11 a.m. Sunday at the Urban Hope Refuge Church on Westland Street in Hartford.
