Grand Jury Finds Police Actions 'Lawful' in Death of Tiverton Man
The grand jury has concluded its investigation into the death of Craig Raposa, who died in police custody on Feb. 3, 2012.
The statewide grand jury today concluded its investigation into the facts and circumstances surrounding the death of Craig Raposa.
Raposa died while in the custody of members of the Portsmouth Police Department on Feb. 3, 2012 in Portsmouth, according to a press release from the Attorney General's Office.
"The statewide grand jury has determined that the actions by the officers were lawful and legally justified," according to the release.
This incident was investigated by State Police with the Office of Attorney General, and presented to the grand jury.
"It is the responsibility of the grand jury to determine the facts, apply the law to those facts and to decide whether anyone may be charged with criminal wrongdoing," according to the release.
The Office of Attorney General cannot release further details surrounding the Grand Jury as disclosure is prohibited by law.
Raposa, 25, died of unknown causes following a struggle with Portsmouth police, in which pepper spray was used.
His mother, Brenda Raposa of Portsmouth, blamed authorities for the death of her son, who suffered from a mental illness.
"Although we were confident that our officers had conducted themselves appropriately, and while we are pleased with the grand jury’s findings, we are nevertheless sorrowed by the fact that a human life was lost," stated acting Portsmouth Police Chief Jeffrey R. Furtado in a statement.
"It is truly unfortunate that despite our best efforts, a tragedy still occurred."
Craig graduated from Portsmouth High School in 2004 as an all-star athlete in football and baseball. He worked at Clements' Market while attending high school and Bristol Community College.
He also worked for DeCastro's Landscaping helping to build the outside patio of Subway on East Main Road.
In This article
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Portsmouth Police Department
2270 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI -
Portsmouth High School
120 Education Ln, Portsmouth, RI -
Clements' Market
2575 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI
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DeCastro & Sons Farm
1780 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI -
troopah
9:09 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Portsmouth PD murdered a kid for not wanting to go to the hospital...his right last i checked.
Cheryl
8:00 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I wonder how much effort goes into training officers to deal with the mentally ill...likely to be one of the largest and most difficult populations they will confront...
Portsmouthgirl
8:10 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
The police did there job. The court agrees. Leave the good men and women of the Portsmouth Police Department alone.
Nookie
8:40 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
I hope you realize that there is family on here. I am Craigs younger cousin and reading what you just wrote broke my heart. Be in my shoes, my familys shoes, especially his moms shoes... if this happened to you and your family, its more then likely you would never be leaving a disrespectful comment like you did.
Think
9:19 am on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Sounds to me that the grand jury didn't have much testimony on Craig's behalf. Coming from experience, the PPD can be brutal and inhumane. It all boils down to who you are. But I agree with Cheryl. It goes much deeper, and while this country allows the American family to fall into pieces, they had better hurry and figure out a way to pick up the pieces. One out of every four Americans has some form of mental illness. And in the wake of the Newtown CT massacre, we should be asking ourselves, 'what do we need to do to prevent being Nexttown USA?'
Chris Beattie
6:48 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2013
Look, we (non police officers) do not know what it is like. So troopa, I think you are way off track. I am in public service and dealing with mentally ill people is very difficult to say the least. This country has (over the last several decades) decided to medicate these poor people suffering from mental diseases, sometimes heavily, instead of deal with their issues. The healthcare system has failed these poor people, the States have failed these poor people & the US Government has failed these poor people. A question needs to be asked...would all these recent massacres in this country have happened if Mental Facilities had not been closed (unfunded) over the last 20-25 years?
Portsmouthproud
10:19 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
Nookie I'm sorry for your loss and your families loss. It was sad but not the police officers fault. The courts decided they did there job correctly which ended with a horrific ending. We have wonderful cops in this town that keep us safe.
Marsha Sheldon
10:26 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
This is very Tragic for the Family and friends to deal with, but you people knew he was ill, the first responders only did there job.... and that is to protect and serve thier community..... It's not your fault for not being able to control him or the towns..... An unfortunate situation.....
getreal
10:54 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I have to agree with Chris's comments, our care and treatment of mental health issues is a shadow of what it use to be. I do feel much sorrow for this young man and his family and feel he was abandoned by our national healthcare changes. To help reduce this type of incident and the recent massacres demand change from our government and healthcare.
Shirley Smyth
1:49 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Mother couldn't deal with her son, called the police on her son the day of the incident, he obviously had a unknown medical condition besides whatever mental issues he had...why is any fault placed on the police, for responding to a call placed by his own mother?!
Portsmouthproud
8:23 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Just please leave our Portsmouth Police alone.