By Richard Chumney
New Haven Register, Conn.
NEWTOWN, Conn. — Police footage released Monday shows the moments a New York man punched an officer and placed him in a chokehold outside a residence on Hanover Road.
Daniel Morris, 40, was arrested Saturday after an officer responded to the home for a report of a “physical dispute,” Newtown police have previously said.
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The footage shows Officer Barry Hyvarinen approach Morris at the home’s driveway and instruct him to put his cell phone in his pocket, but Morris refuses and starts to back away.
Hyvarinen can then be seen reaching for Morris and telling him he is being detained, leading Morris to punch at the officer and pull him to the ground in a struggle.
The footage, which was recorded by dash and body cameras, shows Morris attempting to put the Hyvarinen in a chokehold. After a brief struggle, Hyvarinen can be seen overpowering Morris and placing him in handcuffs.
Morris can be heard telling Hyvarinen he is in pain due to a recent hip replacement and asking for medics. He also can be heard apologizing to the officer.
“I’m sorry,” Morris said, according to the footage.
Newtown police have said both men sustained “minor facial injuries.” Morris was taken to Danbury Hospital after being evaluated by medics at the scene and later cleared.
Morris was charged with assault on public safety personnel, interfering with an officer/resisting arrest and disorderly conduct, Newtown police said.
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