Football Firefight
A Connecticut firefighter is challenging a suspension for allegedly playing college football while on sick leave. Fairfield firefighter Wayne Parks, 42, was suspended without pay for two days for insubordination last month by Fire Chief Richard Felner. Officials say he refused to answer questions about the issue. At issue is whether Parks took part in football practices and team meetings when he was out on sick leave from his firefighter's job with a torn groin muscle. Attorneys are trying to come up with an agreement to allow the University of New Haven to answer questions about Parks' hopes to make the football team. The Fire Commission Thursday decided to put off its discussion of the issue at a future meeting.
Homeless Fight Ends in Homicide
Waterbury police have made an arrest in the fatal beating and stabbing of another man whose body was found in an abandoned factory building. Police found the body of the man Thursday inside the South Main Street building that used to house the Waterbury Companies Inc. The killing apparently came after an argument between two homeless men, according to police. The victim is Joed Olivera,39, who had been living in the building. A short time after the body was found, police arrested Matthew O'Brien-Veader, 21, another homeless man. He was spotted walking along Highland Avenue. Police believe that Olivera had also been beaten with his own crutch.
Police Officer Cleared
Local
A Connecticut federal jury has cleared a Milford police officer sued by a man who claimed he was roughed up during a 2006 traffic stop. Salmon Jaser, 33, claims that two police officers punched him and broke his kneecap after he was pulled over. After a two day trial in New Haven, the jury sided with officer Brien McMahon. Claims against Officer Dennis Broderick, the other officer named in the lawsuit, were dismissed in 2008. Jaser accused McMahon of pulling him over without a reason, then handcuffing him, kicking him in the knee and pushing him to the ground. Jaser was pulled over for speeding and is accused of pushing one officer after he was pulled over, according to police.
