Suffolk officers cleared in civil rights lawsuit

Two Suffolk County police officers were cleared Thursday in a federal civil rights lawsuit brought against following a police-involved fatal shooting. Officer Thomas Wilson and retired Sgt. Scott Greene

News 12 Staff

Jul 24, 2015, 3:45 AM

Updated 3,192 days ago

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Suffolk officers cleared in civil rights lawsuit
Two Suffolk County police officers were cleared Thursday in a federal civil rights lawsuit brought against following a police-involved fatal shooting.
Officer Thomas Wilson and retired Sgt. Scott Greene were accused of using excessive force in shooting 26-year-old Kevin Callahan in 2011.
During the incident, Kevin Callahan had called his brother Chris Callahan to tell him he thought there was a man with a gun in his mother's Selden home. Chris Callahan then called 911. Wilson responded to the home, and Kevin Callahan pinned him inside a door well. Wilson says he fired at Kevin Callahan because he believed the man was trying to steal his gun.
During closing arguments, Wilson's attorney told jurors that the officer thought his life was in danger. Attorneys for the Callahan family say the officer used excessive force.
A visibly emotional Wilson had nothing to say about the verdict.
The civil suit also alleged that Greene failed to provide medical attention to Kevin Callahan as he laid dying in the home. Last year, Greene was charged in an unrelated case for allegedly stealing money from Hispanic motorists and taxi drivers. He pleaded not guilty.
The Callahan family attorney plans to appeal the verdict. The family is also planning to sue in state court for wrongful death.


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