Haverhill police won't face charges in death of man pinned down by officers

Haverhill police officers will not face criminal charges in the death of Francis Giggliotti last July, said Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker.

Giggliotti, 43, died after after seven police officers pinned him to the ground outside a seafood restaurant. Video of the incident taken by bystanders show Giggliotti on the ground, yelling for help, as police hold him down.

His death was ruled a homicide by the Massachusetts Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in September, describing his cause of death as “acute intoxication due to combined effects of cocaine and ethanol while being restrained prone by police.”

The DA's office has said the officers were responding to reports of a man wandering in traffic and behaving erratically. The seven officers were placed on leave in July after his death. One officer involved in the incident died unexpectedly as the investigation was ongoing.

Tucker said in a press conference Tuesday that criminal charges against the officers "are not supportable."

" We answered that narrow question, whether under Massachusetts law charges would be supported, and I have concluded that they would not and therefore will not be pursuing charges," he said.

Tucker said officers attempted to "deescalate" the situation and "calm" Giggliotti before using force. Once Giggliotti became unresponsive, police used of Narcan, an overdose reversal medication, and CPR in an attempt to revive him.

The district attorney also said his office consulted with independent attorney Eric Daigle, who specializes in police use of force cases, and Tucker said Daigle "found that the officers acted in a reasonable manner."

Tucker said he personally offered condolences to the Giggliotti family ahead of the press conference.

Attorneys for Giggliotti's family could not immediately be reached for comment.