AFRICAN AMERICAN MAN, CRAIG MANNING, BEATEN IN HIS OWN CAR BY WHITE SUFFOLK COUNTY POLICE AFTER AN UNDUE TRAFFIC STOP
Hempstead, NY – On June 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington, located at 556 Peninsula Boulevard, Hempstead, New York, 11550, Mr. Craig Manning and his attorneys will hold a press conference, announce the filling of a Notice of Claim, release video footage and photos of Mr. Manning being brutalized by Suffolk County police after he made a left-hand turn at an intersection.
On April 3, 2026, Mr. Manning was peacefully driving when he activated his turn signal to make a left-hand turn. After waiting for all cars in the designated left lane to pass, he safely merged from the center lane into the left lane and completed a left-hand turn. Shortly after, Suffolk County Police Officers initiated a traffic stop, approached Mr. Manning’s passenger-side window, as opposed to the driver-side window, and claimed that he made an improper left-hand turn. Mr. Manning explained that he safely merged into the turning lane with his signal activated and requested to speak with a supervisor.
What followed was a shocking and unnecessary escalation. Rather than address his request for a supervisor, Police Officer Rufrano yelled “Open the fucking door” while grabbing the car door handle and ordered Mr. Manning out of his car. Officer Rufrano then went on to slap Mr. Manning’s phone from his hand to prevent him from recording the interaction. When Mr. Manning continued asking for a supervisor, the police officers punched Mr. Manning several times in the face, then forcibly attempted to remove Mr. Manning, a six-foot-six man, through the passenger door while he remained seated on the driver's side of the car. Despite Mr. Manning clearly communicating that he could not exit his car this way, the officer handcuffed Mr. Manning and then continued to attempt to pull him out of the car from the passenger side.
Despite being handcuffed and restrained, Mr. Manning was subjected to a humiliating and violent assault by police officers as they repeatedly punched him in the face. Additional officers, identified by police officer badge numbers 6444 and 6461 of the Suffolk County Police Department Emergency Service Unit, arrived on the scene and joined in on the assault by punching Mr. Manning at least twice more before pulling him from the vehicle and forcing him to the ground. Mr. Manning was taken into custody and charged with a traffic violation and resisting arrest. As a result of the abuse from Suffolk County Police Officers, Mr. Manning suffered a concussion, a bloody gash on his forehead, bruised and bloodied wrists, and intense emotional distress. On June 8, 2026, Mr. Manning and his attorneys appeared before Judge John B. Zollo at the Suffolk County District Court, where his charges were dismissed.
The press is invited to join Mr. Manning and his legal team, including his attorney Frederick K. Brewington, to give details of his case, provide video and photo evidence, and describe the abuse to which Mr. Manning has been subjected at the hands of Suffolk County and the Suffolk County Police Officers. Copies of the Notice of Claim, photos, a link to the videos, and other records will be supplied at the Press Conference. The press conference will take place on June 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM at the Law Offices of Frederick K. Brewington, located at 556 Peninsula Boulevard, Hempstead, New York 11550.