Jury finds man guilty in controversial New Year's Day 2023 case

BINGHAMTON (WBNG) — A jury in Broome County Court found Hamail Waddell guilty Tuesday on charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

On New Year’s Day 2023, Waddell, a Black man, was arrested and charged with crimes following fights outside Dillinger’s Bar in downtown Binghamton.

But Waddell’s case sparked outrage in the Greater Binghamton Area; Videos of his arrest showed Binghamton Police Officer Brad Kaczynski kneeling on his neck.

On Tuesday, Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti said Waddell was told to leave the area several times before his arrest. He said Waddell tried to move away from officers while he was handcuffed.

Now Waddell’s attorney, Attorney Ed Kapko, is questioning the prosecution’s actions.

“There were two other white men, and the disposition of these cases was degradingly offensive because the District Attorney agreed to what is commonly referred to as ACD and a stay of dismissal,” Kapko said. “But the Black man is on trial. “Someone needs to ask the prosecutor why he made this prosecutorial decision.”

But District Attorney Battisti said his office acted responsibly in the case.

“Every case in my office is based on the facts and circumstances of that case as well as many other factors,” Battisti said. “I believe that the cases that Mr. Kopko mentioned and in which I was not present were violation level crimes. This case was a misdemeanor; So completely different levels of blame.”

Kopko said he would take the case to a federal judge and sue Officer Kaczynski in a civil lawsuit. excessive use of force.

He said that since Kaczynski did not testify, they would file a motion after the hearing and then appeal.

According to the judge, Kaczynski could not testify.

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