The Rhode Island chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is suing the City of Woonsocket and a former police detective for wrongfully arresting and incarcerating a homeless man for a 2022 break-in. The lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Providence alleges that Mack Blackie’s civil rights were violated when he was twice arrested […]
wrongful arrest
Posted inCriminal Justice, Health, Housing, Local
City of Woonsocket faces civil rights claim for wrongful arrest
A homeless Liberian immigrant who spent 31 days locked up at the Adult Correctional Institutions for a crime he didn’t commit has notified the City of Woonsocket that he plans to sue for damages. A lawyer representing Mack Blackie, 36, filed a notice of claim with the city on Wednesday, that his client is seeking […]
Posted inArticle
Woonsocket officer disciplined for wrongful arrest of homeless Liberian immigrant
A Woonsocket police detective who oversaw an investigation that resulted in the wrongful arrest and incarceration of Mack Blackie, a 35-year-old homeless Liberian immigrant, has been suspended without pay for 10 days and demoted to patrol officer. Timothy M. Hammond “failed to follow standard investigative procedures which ultimately led to the improper arrest of Mr. […]
Posted inArticle, Criminal Justice
Why was Mack Blackie held for 31 days for someone else’s crime?
Civil rights advocates are calling for an investigation into how Woonsocket police wound up arresting and incarcerating a 35-year-old homeless Liberian immigrant for another man’s crime.
