What really happened to Pedro Temich?

MERIDEN - The incident started with a call to police on May 1, 2010, from the site of a hit-and-run accident on Bunker Avenue and culminated with Pedro Temich being shoved into a police holding cell, falling and cracking his head against a concrete bench.

The shove was captured on a police video, which helped prompt an investigation of the Police Department, and Temich is suing the city, Officer Evan Cossette, other officers and department command staff in federal court, seeking compensation and punitive damages.

His is one of two lawsuits filed on behalf of men who say Cossette brutalized them, and a third man has filed an intent to sue, alleging similar wrongdoing.

The men are working with lawyer Sally A. Roberts of New Britain, who is also representing officers Brian Sullivan and Donald Huston in their April complaint against the city alleging nepotism and disparate treatment in the department, which is run by Cossette's father, Chief Jeffry Cossette.

Federal and state officials have launched probes and the city has hired its own investigator in the wake of the allegations, which include covering up alleged brutality by the younger Cossette.

New Haven State's Attorney Michael Dearington said he agreed to pursue the matter after watching the video of Temich and Cossette in the cell.

While the video, and a recording of police arresting Robert Methvin - the plaintiff in the other lawsuit - have received much attention, the cases are more complex than what was caught on camera.

The following is an examination of the Temich incident based on a review of police reports and records, an internal affairs investigation and his lawsuit.

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At about 10:25 p.m. on May 1, 2010, a Saturday, Meriden police received a call from a Newington woman that her parked Jeep Grand Cherokee had been struck by a green Ford Explorer, which fled the scene. It returned a short while later and she followed it to 23 Putnam St., the home of Luis Aguirre.

Aguirre was hosting what Evan Cossette called in his report "a large Mexican party ... in which most of the attendees were intoxicated."

Cossette and officers Donald Huston and Jeffrey Selander went to the scene along with the woman, Elismari Ballester, and a man, Josue Torres, who witnessed the crash. Ballester identified Temich as the driver.

Cossette, who speaks some Spanish, approached Temich, who was leaning on the passenger side of a vehicle in the driveway, and began to question him with assistance from a Hispanic man on the scene who spoke English.

Death of Anna Sue Moulton of Bunker Hill

Anna Sue Moulton, 78, of Bunker Hill passed away on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 3:20 AM at St. Francis Hospital, Litchfield, IL.

She was born November 17, 1932, in Scott Co., MO, daughter of the late Ira Cranick & Mabel (Elliott) Cranick. She married Richard Mayo Moulton on August 17, 1973 in Wood River, IL.  She worked at Owens Glass Factory for 33 years. She was a member of United Methodist Church of Bunker Hill, IL and Excel Camper Club.

Surviving relatives include Spouse, Richard Moulton of Bunker Hill, IL, Children, Stan (Spouse, Debbie) Harper of Saint Louis, MO, Terea Rozell of Bethalto, IL, Step Son, Randy Moulton of Norfolk, VA, Siblings, Carl (Spouse, Liz) Cranick of Statesville, NC, Cindy Childress of Sikeston, MO, Gene (Spouse, Paulette) Cranick of Fulton, TN, Pete (Spouse, Cynthia) Cranick of Broken Arrow, OK, Karen “Sissy” (Spouse, Mike) Williamson of Poplar Bluff, MO, Leslie “Spike” (Spouse, Diane) Cranick of Marion, IL, 15 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in her death by Parents, Sister, Joy Harper, Step Son, Richard Moulton, Jr., Granddaughter, Rachel Moulton.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at Kravanya Funeral Home in Bunker Hill, IL from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Funeral will be on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 10:30 AM at United Methodist Church of Bunker Hill, IL.  Minister will beRevs. Joyce and Paul Anders. Burial will be held at  Bunker Hill Cemetery, Bunker Hill, IL.

Memorials maybe sent to the United Methodist Church in Bunker Hill, IL.

Anyone wishing to send an online condolence may do so at www.kravanyafuneral.com.

Kravanya Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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