You are reading

Cop Who Appeared to Put Knee on Man’s Neck Will Not be Prosecuted: Queens DA

(Image via the Legal Aid Society law firm)

April 5, 2021 By Christina Santucci

A Queens cop accused of kneeling on a man’s neck during an arrest in Jamaica earlier this year will not be prosecuted, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.

The DA’s office had been investigating Officer Thomas Montario’s actions during a Jan 2. arrest of Long Island resident Sircarlyle Arnold – after cell phone video emerged showing what appeared to be the officer’s knee on Arnold’s neck.

At the time, cops were arresting Arnold in front of 113-08 Sutphin Blvd. for allegedly riding an all-terrain vehicle. He had been taking part in a vigil for a friend who died, according to his attorney, Olayemi Olurin.

Olurin, who is public defender with the Legal Aid Society, posted footage of Arnold’s arrest on Twitter in January, and wrote, “This is eerily similar to what was done to George Floyd in May 2020.

On Friday, Katz said the DA’s Public Corruption Bureau had concluded there was “insufficient evidence of an unlawful method of restraint” during the arrest.

“While I fully support the spirit of legislation that prioritizes police accountability and thereby promotes community engagement, the elements of AC 10-181 are not satisfied in this case,” she said.

City lawmakers made chokeholds and other restraints a misdemeanor under Administrative Code 10-181 last summer, after the death of George Floyd.

In the statement, Katz said that the law required a finding that either the officer had “restricted the flow of air or blood by either compressing Mr. Arnold’s windpipe or the carotid arteries on each side of his neck” or that “air or blood flow were restricted by sitting, kneeling or standing on the neck in a manner that compresses the diaphragm.”

She said the investigation had included “consultation with two medical experts and an NYPD expert in Physical Training and Tactics, interviews with multiple officers and Sircarlyle Arnold, and extensive review of NYPD Body Worn Camera footage.”

In the 2-minute-24 second clip released by the DA’s office, witnesses can be heard repeatedly yelling, “Look at his knee!” and “Take his knee off!”

Arnold’s lawyer told The Queens Daily Eagle that the DA’s office has agreed to drop the charges against him stemming from riding riding the all-terrain vehicle. He faced a misdemeanor reckless endangerment charge and traffic offenses.

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Jamaica man sentenced to life for brutal triple murder of girlfriend, her son and cousin in 2022: DA

A Jamaica man was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in Queens Supreme Court on Friday for the 2022 murders of his girlfriend, her son, and her cousin.

Travis Blake, 31, of 155th Street, was convicted by a jury last month of first-degree murder and other counts for the triple slaying in June 2022. The bodies of his victims were discovered with an array of puncture and blunt force wounds in a state of decomposition in their shared Jamaica home.

Hard Rock CEO outlines vendor opportunities for $8B Metropolitan Park casino project

May. 2, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen addressed hundreds of Queens-based vendors and small business owners Thursday morning at the Queens Theatre, outlining how they could play a key role in shaping the proposed $8 billion Metropolitan Park casino and entertainment complex near Citi Field—if the project is awarded one of the three downstate gaming licenses up for grabs later this year.

Beyond brunch: Unique ways to celebrate Mother’s Day in Queens

May. 2, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With Mother’s Day just over a week away, there’s still plenty of time to plan something meaningful in Queens to celebrate the special women in your life. While brunch or dinner is always a classic choice, there are also unique and memorable ways to mark the occasion with family and friends. From candle-making workshops and floral arranging classes to beer tastings and hands-on crafting, here are some fun and heartfelt ways to celebrate Mother’s Day right here in the community.

Long Islander gets 20 years in prison for ‘sadistic’ months-long crime spree in Queens: DA

A Long Island man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Wednesday in Queens Supreme Court after pleading guilty to kidnapping, robbery, and promoting prostitution for three separate incidents.

Gil Iphael, 25, of Copiague Street in Valley Stream, lured his victims to Queens locations for sex with the help of his co-defendant, then his victims were detained, assaulted, and robbed. In one instance, Iphael tried to cut off a man’s toe and threatened to mutilate his genitals.