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LIVE IN THE NEWS ROOM, ALICE GAINER.
NEW AT FIVE NOW, THE FAMILY OF A CONNECTICUT MAN WHO WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE BACK OF THE POLICE VAN IS SPEAKING OUT AFTER THE OFFICERS INVOLVED IN HIS ARREST WERE CHARGED. TODAY HIS FAMILY REACTED TO CHARGES AND EXPLAINED HOW HIS LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.
REPORTER: THE MOTHER SAYS SHE VISITS HER SON IN THE HOSPITAL NOW THAT HE IS PARALYZED FROM THE CHEST DOWN. "HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO HELP THEM TO GET A DRINK OR EAT." THE 36-YEAR-OLD WAS IN THE BACK OF A POLICE VAN WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. AND HE WAS THROWN HEADFIRST INTO A WALL. THE VAN HAD NO SEATBELTS.
"I CAN'T GET UP." "I CAN'T HEAR YOU." "HELP."
REPORTER: SAYING HE WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE IN HIS NECK WAS BROKEN. OFFICERS WERE DISMISSIVE. "MOVE YOUR LEG. SET UP. SET UP."
REPORTER: I CAN'T MOVE. VIDEO SAYS THEY DRAGGED HIM BY HIS FEET FROM THE VAN AND PLACED THEM IN A HOLDING CELL. FIVE OFFICERS ARE FACING CHARGES INCLUDING SECOND-DEGREE RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT. THIS FAMILY IS NOT SATISFIED.
"THE CHARGES WERE A SLAP IN THE FACE. HE REALLY WAS. TWO MISDEMEANORS." ROCCO THEY HAVE IMPLEMENTED REFORMS INCLUDING POLICE TRAINING AND MANDATING THE USE OF SEATBELTS FOR PRISONERS. THE FAMILY SAYS IT'S NOT ENOUGH.
"WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT REALLY FAIR. IT'S NOT REALLY FAIR THAT THEY ARE GETTING A SLAP ON THE REST, MISDEMEANOR CHARGES, WHERE THEY WILL AT MOST C6 MONTHS IN JAIL."