A father of two and Harlem record producer Clarence Jones, 30, had been charged with obstructing governmental administration and resisisiting arrest in 2008. He said he was arrested and abused by a swarm of police officers in the 25th Precinct — just a week after he and state senator Bill Perkins made noise about the doll and its disrespectful message. They considered it offensive and racist.
Jones said he was dragged from his SUV after receiving a parking violation for idling in a no-standing zone at Madison Avenue and East 116th Street on July 27, 2008. He turned down an offer of a jail-free plea deal, choosing to fight the charges at trial. This week he was acquitted of both charges after the two-day trial.
As the not guilty verdict was read, Jones’ eyes welled up with tears and he embraced his attorney, Roger Wareham. “I felt we were telling the 150 percent truth and I didn’t want to take a deal on something I had nothing to do with,” Jones said. “Whether or not they believe the doll head was involved with it, the officers’ behavior just didn’t make any sense,” Wareham said.
Jones said he sensed there would be trouble. He saw patrol cars canvassing his block and officers made mocking gestures at him as they drove by, he said. He recently filed a $100,000 lawsuit against the city, seeking compensation for medical bills and other interests related to the incident.
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