Jamaican convicted of killing US cop denied free lawyer in federal lawsuit
A Jamaican man convicted of trying to kill a police officer in Westchester County, New York has been denied a free attorney in his $50 million federal lawsuit.
It has been filed against the county.
U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas this week denied the request from Ronald Greenland, who was sentenced to 40 years in prison for repeatedly stabbing Police Officer David Sanchez after a botched burglary in Mount Kisco, New York in 2016.
The judge in his written decision said Greenland can fend for himself in court.
Judge Karas said Greenland appears to be capable of pursuing his case without assistance of counsel and demonstrated the ability to make arguments and draft pleadings.
Greenland filed the lawsuit in April, claiming that state and county agencies conspired to defame him and falsely convict him, while lying about his immigration status by saying he entered the country illegally.
The lawsuit was filed just days after federal immigration authorities added 12 and a half years to Greenland’s prison sentence for re-entering the country illegally after being deported twice since 2009 due to criminal convictions.