CEA Protests Plea In Captain Assault;

Revenge Beating
CEA Protests Plea In Captain Assault


Captains Endowment Association President Roy T. Richter last week said he was "outraged" that an ex-con who assaulted a retired Captain who had arrested him before was offered a plea agreement.

ROY T. RICHTER: Wants stiffer penalties.

"How can the public feel confident and protected when even a Police Captain can be assaulted with impunity?" he asked.

Judge Wants It Reviewed

Acting Queens Supreme Court Justice James Griffin March 31 asked for a review of Joseph Manzi's case after the Assistant District Attorney handling the matter made an offer of probation without jail time.

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly urged Justice Griffin to impose a jail sentence on Mr. Manzi for the beating of retired NYPD Capt. Charles Stravalle. "Anything less would only encourage future attacks on Police Officers, prosecutors and judges," he said in a statement. "The attacker should not be rewarded with leniency simply because he waited until Captain Stravalle retired to assault him."

The incident occurred in June 2007 after Mr. Manzi, who has a long criminal history, recognized Captain Stravalle while the former NYPD supervisor was purchasing dinner for his family at a take-out restaurant in Rego Park, Queens.

In 2003, Captain Stravalle had arrested him for possession of a forged NYPD parking permit. At the restaurant, Mr. Manzi attacked him with brass knuckles, striking him repeatedly in the head, chest, arms and legs, according to authorities.

Captain Richter said that Mr. Manzi also threatened Captain Stravalle. "I know you are retired ... I know where you live ... I know you have a new baby," he allegedly said at the time.

Seeks Protection

A Queens grand jury declined to indict Mr. Manzi on felony assault, which would have carried a much greater penalty. The grand jury instead charged him with misdemeanor assault and the prosecutors offered a plea deal to give him probation.

The union president said he will seek a lifetime order of protection for Captain Stravalle and his family. Mr. Richter also said the union will lobby lawmakers to draft a felony crime statute covering criminals who knowingly assault retired police officers.

Mr. Manzi's case has been rescheduled to May 22, by which time Justice Griffin will have an opportunity to review the detailed probation report and his lengthy rap sheet, Captain Richter said.