Charges against a man whose jaw was broken and multiple teeth knocked out during an arrest were dropped.
The city of Westover dropped all charges against 54-year-old Andre Howton. He was charged with battery on an officer, disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer and disturbing the peace.
In the motion to dismiss, Westover’s municipal prosecutor, Matt Thorn, stated probable cause for the charges existed, but after further investigation the city would dismiss all charges stemming from Howton’s alleged actions on Jan. 1.
Thorn declined to comment when asked to elaborate on the reasons the charges were dropped.
“He was so excited,” Howton’s attorney, Beth Lebow, said. “He was always hopeful that this is the way it would turn out. … I mean he was pumped about it.”
Howton still suffers physical consequences from his arrest, Lebow said. His face sustained “horrific” injuries to the cheekbones, jaw on both sides and eye sockets. He also needs surgery and a new set of teeth.
“He needs a whole new, almost everything,” Lebow said. “Obviously we’re still pursuing a civil case.”
Westover Police was called to Howton’s home on New Year’s Day for a domestic dispute. Howton was arrested during that call and sustained his injuries when Officer Zachary Fecsko hit him several times during the arrest.
Westover Police Chief Rick Panico said the use of force was reviewed and found to be at an appropriate level.
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