CT Inspector General releases police officer who held suspect in chokehold

The Connecticut Office of Inspector General has cleared an off-duty state police trooper of any wrongdoing after he used a chokehold on a suspect in Wallingford last May in an attempt to force him to use a similar hold he had a comrade had to release.

Inspector General Robert Devlin Jr. released a use of deadly force report Wednesday, concluding that Officer Joshua Wedge was justified in using a chokehold on the 35th man, banned under state law, after a car chase and subsequent foot pursuit -year-old Ira Turner Turner was involved in a domestic incident in a moving vehicle on Interstate 91 North on May 13, 2023.

“The investigation reveals that Trooper Joshua Wedge used deadly force against Ira Turner to relieve Trooper Brandon Poirier of Turner using a chokehold on him,” Devlin wrote. “I conclude that Trooper Wedge’s use of force was justified under Connecticut law.”

According to Devlin’s report, the mother of Turner’s two children told state police that Turner picked her and the children up from their home just after 5 p.m. on May 13, 2023, to attend a birthday party in Orange. He was reportedly driving his mother’s Mitsubishi Outlander.

On the way to the party on Interstate 95, Devlin wrote, Turner and the woman got into an argument about her having a boyfriend. He then allegedly started driving erratically and missed the exit to the party. He then continued on to I-91.

According to the woman, Turner was once driving the wrong way on the highway and she asked him to stop, fearing for her safety and the children’s lives, but he refused, the report said. The woman said she called Turner’s mother to calm him down, but he continued to drive erratically, so she contacted police.

Wedge was off duty when he heard Poirier being dispatched to the area of ​​Exit 12 on I-91 around 5:45 p.m. on a report of a “rolling domestic,” according to Devlin. Wedge turned onto I-91, spotted Poirier behind a red SUV and sat in front of the vehicle to try to corral the driver.

Turner passed Wedge and continued north before troopers attempted a second box-in, after which Turner allegedly collided with Poitier’s cruiser, according to the report.

Turner later braked abruptly and drove the wrong way on Ramp 15 before stopping the vehicle, giving state police the opportunity to detain him, Devlin wrote. He then exited the vehicle on the passenger side and ran up the Exit 15 ramp.

According to Devlin, Wedge and Poirier chased Turner before Poirier caught up with him and tried to take him to the ground. Turner then allegedly punched Poirier in the face, the report said.

According to Devlin, Turner held Poirier in a chokehold and wrapped his arm around his neck three times during a struggle near a metal beam guardrail.

Wedge was dressed in civilian clothes and only had his firearm with him. He did not have a Taser or pepper spray with him, the report said.

According to Devlin’s report, Wedge used a chokehold to protect Poirier, which left Turner unconscious for a short period of time. He regained consciousness as he was taken to the ground, whereupon he allegedly continued to struggle with the soldiers until they were able to handcuff him, Devlin wrote.

Turner later allegedly told state police he didn’t stop because he knew he “made a mistake” and was “already in trouble,” according to Devlin’s report. State police discovered he had a protection order in place against him that prohibited any contact with the mother of his children.

Turner complained of chest pains and was taken to Midstate Medical Center in Meriden. After his release, he was arrested on charges of second-degree kidnapping, violating a protective order and other charges, Devlin wrote.

Court records viewed Wednesday indicate Turner pleaded guilty in December to one count of obstructing police and three counts of reckless endangerment. Records show he was sentenced to two years probation.

Devlin began investigating the use of deadly force after a police officer brought the incident to his office for review in August. As part of the investigation, authorities reviewed body camera footage of Poirier and interviewed both officers, the domestic incident victim and Turner.

Devlin found in his report that Wedge’s actions were justified under the state’s general self-defense law, but not the law that specifically addressed police. The way the law is written allows the use of a chokehold in self-defense, but not in defense of others, according to Devlin.

“One wonders whether this omission was intentional,” Devlin wrote. “As written, the law allows a police officer to shoot a suspect in defense of a third party, but does not allow the officer to use a chokehold. It is difficult to imagine that the legislature intended such an outcome.”

“Given this confusion in the law,” Devlin continued, “I do not believe (the law) should be interpreted to deem Trooper Wedge’s actions unjustified.”

Devlin also said in his report that he believes a “clarification of the statute” is “warranted.”

“The Office of the Inspector General intends to recommend that the General Assembly consider amending General Statutes §53a-22(d) to specifically specify whether a police officer may use a chokehold to protect a third party from the use or threatened use of lethal force to protect violence. ” wrote Devlin. “The OIG also intends to recommend a change to the statute to allow for third-party defense.”