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Family of Haverhill man who died after encounter with police pursue independent investigation
“We firmly believe that Francis did not deserve to perish – especially not in the manner he did," the family said. They are pursuing a private autopsy.
The family of the Haverhill man who died after he “became unresponsive” while being restrained by police officers are investigating the incident, their lawyer said.
“We firmly believe that Francis did not deserve to perish – especially not in the manner he did,” the family of Francis Gigliotti said in a statement.
Gigliotti, 43, was held to the ground outside a seafood restaurant last week by more than a half dozen police officers, according to officials and video accounts. Seven Haverhill police officers are on paid administrative leave in connection with the incident.
Gigliotti’s family, including his fiancée Michele Rooney, hired lawyer Timothy Bradl and his firm, which is “pursuing a private autopsy and evaluating any and all information and video related to the matter.”
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“There will be full accountability regarding the circumstances, cause, and manner of Francis’ death,” the law office said in a statement Wednesday, adding that they are “in contact” with the DA.
Gigliotti’s family said in a statement that his mother “is experiencing unimaginable grief and is seeking justice for her son.”
“Francis had a warmth that was impossible to ignore. His smile and laugh could light up any room, bringing joy to everyone around him. He was cherished not just by his family, but by his entire community,” the statement read.
What happened before Gigliotti died?
While some of Gigliotti’s encounter with police was captured on cell phone video and posted online, a redacted police report details the hours leading up to his death. The report alleges that Gigliotti bought and smoked crack cocaine.
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In their report, police allege that witnesses said Gigliotti “smoked crack cocaine inside of the building” on White Street “and began to freak out within seconds of smoking it” just after 5 p.m. Friday.
Before he alleged took the drugs, the officer writes in the report, Gigliotti “does not appear to be in a crisis, visibly intoxicated, or unable to care for himself.”
Haverhill police arrested Joseph Hurley, who is accused of selling drugs to Gigliotti. Hurley is facing one felony count of distributing a Class B substance, according to court records. He is still in custody instead of posting bail, court records show.
The DA initially said that Haverhill police responded to the area near 115 White St. Friday around 6:22 p.m. to reports of a man acting erratically, weaving in and out of traffic and nearly being struck by vehicles. Gigliotti had “fallen on the floor when leaving the building, was running in the middle of the street and that he hit a car with his head then continued down White Street,” the statement read.
In videos and accounts of the incident, up to eight police officers and first responders appeared to be holding down Gigliotti, who was yelling for help, outside Bradford Seafood on Winter Street.
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In one video, someone tells police to be “easy with” him “because he got issues,” and a police officer replies “I know.”
“I don’t think it takes all you guys to hold homeboy down though,” someone in the video says.
In a video of the incident posted to TikTok, Gigliotti seems to lose consciousness when his cries for help cease. Some officers then take a step away, while others continue to restrain him. Rooney appears on the sidewalk crying, begging EMS to help save Gigliotti. The video ends before he is transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the DA.
Pressley: ‘We can and must provide accountability and policy change’
“It’s heart-wrenching to watch the news, read the papers and to hear all the negative comments. One thing Francis always hated was when people were judgmental before they had all of the information. Francis never judged anyone and had nothing but love for all,” Rooney said in a statement. “I lost the love of
my life and I will never be the same, but I am doing everything I can to
be strong.”
Haverhill Mayor Melinda Barrett called the incident “tragic” in a statement Monday, saying the public deserves a “thorough and transparent investigation.” The DA is asking members of the public to submit any relevant photos or video to help with the investigation.
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Rep. Ayanna Pressley weighed in Tuesday evening, highlighting legislation to address mental health challenges with policing “by centering de-escalation, mental health interventions, and a public health approach to public safety,” the congresswoman said in a statement.
“I join my colleagues at the federal, state, and local levels calling for a swift and thorough investigation into what happened and what protocols were or were not followed,” Pressley said. “Unfortunately, we’ll never be able to deliver justice for Francis Gigliotti – for in a just world, Francis would be alive today, at home with his fiancée and family – but we can and must provide accountability and policy change.”
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