Ep 3 - NYPD Detective Punches 19 Year Old Tamani Crum: A Legal Analysis

The Force Review: Episode 3 - Tamani Crum

On August 30th, 2022 NYPD Detective Kendo Kinsey was performing crowd control duties during the arrest of Elvin James. Nineteen year old Tamani Crum approached James during the arrest and refused to step away. An altercation between Ms. Crum and Detective Kinsey shortly followed, and Detective Kinsey punched Ms. Crum in the face sending her to the ground. The punch was shared on social media and went viral, causing outrage. Was this actually an excessive use of force against Ms. Crum? Does she have a legal claim against the NYPD? Watch the video for a full legal analysis where we provide penal codes, case law, and similar incidents to make a bring you to a logical answer to those questions.

Cell Phone Footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8D4TC5JFo4

NYPD BWC Footage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y1bTlUcZRs

NY Penal Code 195.05:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/195.05

NY Penal Code 35.15:
https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/35.15

Graham v Connor:
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/490/386.html

Brown v Ransweiler:
https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ca-court-of-appeal/1233872.html

2020 Baltimore Similar Incident:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG0pLAufh9I
No Charges Filed:
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/baltimore-police-officer-seen-on-video-striking-suspended/32736569#

2010 Seattle Similar Incident:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnnEfSwnp1c
No Charges Filed:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/spd-officer-who-punched-teen-in-jaywalking-incident-cleared-of-using-excessive-force/