New bodycam video shows New Jersey man who died after police restraint said he ‘couldn’t breathe’

A New Jersey antheral who died aft a little stand-off with constabulary told them helium “couldn’t breathe” arsenic they restrained him, newly released bodycam footage shows.

The authorities Attorney General’s Office connected Tuesday released a brace of clips showing 47-year-old John Cassidy’s fatal brushwood with instrumentality enforcement successful Ocean County, which “is nether probe by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability,” officials said successful a statement.

“The recordings are being released pursuant to policies established by the Attorney General’s Office successful 2019 designed to beforehand the fair, impartial, and transparent probe of fatal constabulary encounters.”

John Cassidy of Toms River, NJ, died portion helium was being detained connected April 19, 2024. (New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability)

The incidental unfolded connected April 19 astatine a state presumption connected Route 37 adjacent West End Avenue, aft Island Heights police serviceman Peter Muscarella — connected patrol astatine the clip — stopped Cassidy for an expired centrifugal conveyance registration. Upon further investigation, helium realized Cassidy had outstanding warrants and moved to instrumentality him into custody.

Cassidy tells the officer helium lone wanted to usage the bath and that helium was going leave, prompting Muscarella to telephone for backup, the clips shows. When the further officers get connected the scene, including Island Heights constabulary serviceman Dominique D’Amico-Violante and Lt. Paul Rutledge, Cassidy gets backmost wrong his car and refuses to exit.

Cassidy’s temper changes perpetually during their interaction, going from calm to outraged to calm again, per the bodycam video. He besides revs his car motor and blasts his vigor arsenic officers effort to person him to exit his vehicle. At 1 point, helium has a speech with Muscarella, detailing his interests and hobbies, earlier further officers get connected the country and helium again becomes belligerent.

John Cassidy of Toms River, NJ, died portion helium was being detained connected April 19, 2024. (New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability)

After astir 25 minutes of trying to coax Cassidy retired of his car, the officers usage an instrumentality to interruption the rider broadside model and yet negociate to get some doors open. They past commencement to forcefully propulsion him from the vehicle, astatine which constituent helium repeatedly exclaims helium tin not breathe, bodycam video shows.

After they managed to get Cassidy connected the ground, helium suffered a aesculapian occurrence and was provided assistance connected the scene. He became unresponsive soon thereafter.

John Cassidy of Toms River, NJ, died portion helium was being detained connected April 19, 2024. (New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability)

Cassidy was rushed to Community Medical Center successful Toms River wherever helium was aboriginal pronounced dormant astatine 2:25 p.m.

An probe into the substance is ongoing.