PITTSFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont’s Criminal Justice Council voted unanimously to revoke Jason Lawton’s law enforcement certification permanently. According to Council Chair Bill Sorrell, it was done by a stipulated agreement.
Footage inside a holding cell in 2019, shows then St. Albans Police officer Sgt. Jason Lawton punch Amy Connelly in the face while she was handcuffed.
Surveillance video shows Connelly, who is said to have been intoxicated, kicking the holding cell door. Lawton then throws Connelly against the wall after she refused to sit down. Body and surveillance cameras captured the moment when Lawton punched Connelly in the face after she stood back up and tried to kick him.
In December of 2022, Lawton was sentenced to three to six months in jail after pleading guilty to a simple assault charge.
Related Stories:
Ex-St. Albans cop sentenced for jailhouse assault
Ex-St. Albans cop pleads guilty to punching handcuffed woman
Woman punched by St. Albans officer sues for use of excessive force
Former cop pleads not guilty to punching prisoner
Former St. Albans cop arrested for jail house assault
Sheriff says investigation clears deputy in St. Albans incident
Sheriff’s deputy under investigation after cop punches handcuffed woman
Police policies questioned after cop punches handcuffed suspect
St. Albans police officer fired for punching handcuffed woman