SALEM — Former Lynn Police officer Matthew Coppinger appeared in Salem District Court on Thursday in connection with an excessive force allegation last summer.
Victor White was arrested at his Lynn home, along with two other men, on June 15 for public drinking. He said he was hosting a housewarming party on his private terrace when police showed up.
The charges against all three men were subsequently dropped, but an independent investigation into Coppinger was announced shortly afterward.
Video footage shows Coppinger elbowing and punching White, a 33-year-old Tufts University cook, in a holding cell after White, who is Black, refused to remove his mask.
Thursday’s hearing for a special prosecutor’s presentation to a clerk magistrate, was to establish if criminal charges are warranted.
The hearing on Thursday ended with no conclusion, but Malden District Court Assistant Clerk Magistrate Paul Burns will review the matter and announce later whether criminal charges will be filed.
Special Prosecutor Daniel Bennett said, “It’s clear from the video and Mr. White’s testimony that he was struck numerous times.”
This incident prompted claims of racism and police brutality, which led to Coppinger’s resignation.
“The statute that allows police to use reasonable force does not allow them to strike an individual in the face in a jail cell,” said Bennett.
Coppinger’s attorney, Ken Anderson, said that Coppinger was justified in striking White because White was drunk and belligerent, and refused to comply with repeated commands to remove his mask.
White said that he wants Coppinger prosecuted because what he did was wrong.
“I instinctively put my hand up and I was struck with an elbow or a fist on my head, neck, leg, stomach and shoulder and I yelled for help,” White said.
In a police report, Coppinger wrote that White declined to remove his mask before grabbing Coppinger’s wrist and refusing to let go. The report also stated that White moved closer to Coppinger, but the video proved neither were accurate.
“Officer Coppinger strikes him immediately in the face with his forearm,” Bennett said.
He said that Coppinger should have taken other steps in accordance with department policy, such as restraints or pepper spray.
Anderson and Lynn Police Lt. Michael Kmiec, the department spokesman, said that they had no comment following the hearing.
Material from the Boston Globe was used in this report.
