Attorney General, Newport Police review incident involving officers, wedding party

Multiple reviews are currently looking into the event, as NBC 10 News has learned. The incident occurred only one day after the Newport Police Department published body-camera video and comprehensive footage of a tumultuous interaction between its officers and members of a wedding party.

Six persons were charged and arrested by Newport police on Sunday following a violent incident on Bowen’s Wharf.

According to reports, the incident began as a local bar’s admittance refusal but quickly turned chaotic. The video featured fistfights, kicking, pushing, and angry exchanges between the police and the bridal party.

“As two of the individuals involved have been charged with felony offenses by the Newport Police Department, the Office will review the incident in its entirety, as part of our standard felony case screening process,” the state AG’s office stated to NBC 10 News on Tuesday, confirming that their office is reviewing the incident.

NBC 10 News found out shortly after that the Newport Police Department had opened an inquiry into the incident.

The procedure, according to Lt. Joseph Caroll, will take two weeks, and the department will investigate “all incidents of force associated with non-compliance or injury or perceived injury.”

The police department’s Use of Force Instructor, Patrol Division Lieutenant, and Training Unit Supervisor comprise the review board.

An officer is said to have been punched in the face during the altercation, according to a police report that 10 News was able to obtain. A different police struck a woman, subsequently identified as Rachael Onik of Barrington, in the jaw, according to the report, after the officer claimed they sensed someone attempting to get their gun.

According to law enforcement and security analyst Todd McGhee, “a police officer is going to defend themselves as vigorously as possible to make sure that weapon doesn’t leave their possession, that it doesn’t leave their holster.” “If that’s the case, that’s going to shed a lot of information [about if] appropriate use of the force by the police officers was based on the force they utilized.”

Councilman David Carlin of Newport represents Ward 3, the location of the incident.

This is completely unnecessary, there is no need for it. I was shocked to learn what had happened, given it’s in my Ward,” Carlin said to 10. “I think the Newport Police and the officers involved showed amazing restraint.”

While some concur, others have resisted, saying that the cops were overly forceful or went too far.

“Opinions are free to differ, but there is only one set of facts. And the evidence will surface and demonstrate that the NPD behaved appropriately and with restraint,” he said.

On Wednesday morning, five of the six accused will appear in District Court.

WJAR — FALL RIVER, Massachusetts The Rev. Jay Mello was placed on leave in June by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River due to allegations of sexual misconduct. On Monday night, parishioners staged a prayer vigil in his honor.

Clergy said their priest is unaware of the charges against him or their source. It’s their defense of Mello.

Parishioner Jessica Carvalho stated, “We want to make it clear that all allegations should be taken seriously and should be investigated.” “The problem we’re having here is that it needs to be a fair, just, timely investigation.”

A 28-year-old man’s lawyer stated that Mello sexually molested him at St. Francis Xavier in Acushnet in 2013. The lawyer said that although his client reported it to the diocese, no investigation was conducted.

There were no minors involved in June’s reported event, according to the Diocese of Fall River. There were no more details provided. Mello has refuted every accusation.

It’s important to treat the accusation seriously. Carvalho stated, “They ought to have their rights. “The accused should as well, and I feel like because of the past, things are not even.”