Conviction and Details of the Incident
Former New York City police officer Juan Perez was convicted of assault on Thursday after a bench trial found him guilty of punching Borim Husenaj six times, breaking his nose, during an incident on November 10, 2021, in Greenwich Village.
Statements from Authorities
“Today a judge found former NYPD Officer Perez guilty of assault for punching an individual in the face six times,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced. “Members of law enforcement have important positions of trust in our city, and holding accountable those who violate that trust is essential for lasting public safety.”
Incident Description
The incident occurred when Perez and his partner responded to a radio call and encountered Husenaj acting erratically and holding a liquor bottle. After a verbal exchange, Perez pushed Husenaj against a wall and attempted to handcuff him. Both fell to the ground, where Perez then punched Husenaj repeatedly while he was defenseless.
Legal and Personal Aftermath
Husenaj, who was 26 at the time, suffered a broken nose and significant emotional and psychological injuries. He later filed a lawsuit against Perez and New York City. Perez retired from the NYPD in 2022.
Husenaj moved to Kosovo to live with family in January 2022 and died by suicide in March 2022. His heirs claimed in a lawsuit that the assault contributed significantly to his mental distress and subsequent death.
Reactions to the Verdict
Perez’s attorney, Stuart London, defended his client, stating that Perez had acted in self-defense when Husenaj turned on him. The Police Benevolent Association’s president, Patrick Hendry, criticized the verdict, saying it sent a “chilling message” to police officers and expressing plans to appeal.
