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Today we filed a lawsuit on behalf of the family of Erik Aguilar, a New Bedford man who died in the custody of the New Bedford police on July 22, 2010. This civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit alleges that New Bedford officers ignored Mr. Aguilar’s serious medical needs, resulting in his death.
The complaint alleges the following facts. A convenience store employee called the police seeking help for Mr. Aguilar. New Bedford police officer Paul Hodson arrived at the store, spoke with Mr. Aguilar, then tried to handcuff him. Officer Hodson then took Mr. Aguilar to the ground, sprayed him with pepper spray, handcuffed him with his hands behind his back, left him lying face down on the pavement, and applied pressure to his back. Mr. Aguilar struggled to breathe because he was face down with his hands cuffed behind him.
Officer Hodson and other New Bedford police officers casually stood around as Mr. Aguilar was lying face down until his heart stopped beating.
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