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Last fall, Jeffery Michel, age 27, a nursing student at Brookdale Community College in Monmouth County, New Jersey, was the subject of an arrest by campus police. The incident was captured on video and uploaded to YouTube and soon went viral, with many calling the episode police brutality. During the arrest, Michel protested and asked repeatedly why he was being arrested. He was pepper sprayed and cuffed by the police, some say unfairly.
Michel filed charges of police brutality against the officers but they were cleared of any wrongdoing by the county. Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni found the officers “did not commit criminal wrongdoing” while trying to place the student under arrest. He further stated that the video shows that the officers would benefit from additional training because they showed unwarranted “restraint” during Michel’s resistance, and that the officers could have been more aggressive, could have “had Mr. Michel cuffed sooner, and still have been in compliance” with the guidelines, ensuring the officers’ safety.
Now word comes out of New Jersey that Michel has died under mysterious circumstances. According to law enforcement, last Friday around 8:20 p.m. police received a call about a body on the side of the road. The initial investigation by police found that Michel was the victim of a hit-and-run accident and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police state that he was hit by a car, possibly blue in color, but there were no additional leads. The Monmouth County police are asking for the public’s help in solving Michel’s death.
