Newport, Rhode Island — A chaotic incident involving a local attorney and a prosecutor turned into a tumultuous arrest captured on body camera footage last week, leading to an internal review by the state Attorney General’s Office. The two women, identified as Veronica Hannan and Special Assistant Attorney General Devon Hogan Flanagan, were allegedly involved in a trespassing situation at the Clarke Cooke House restaurant on Thursday.
According to Hannan’s attorney, John Grasso, the trouble began after they had completed their meal and paid the bill. He described the encounter as “fast and furious,” characterizing it as surprising for Hannan, who had no prior confrontations with law enforcement. Grasso claimed that his client was merely attempting to diffuse tensions as the situation escalated.
Footage from the incident reveals a confrontation where Hannan urged police to “relax,” while Flanagan insisted that an officer disable his body camera due to “protocol.” Their demands did not deter the officers on the scene, who appeared unfazed by their assertions of authority.
Flanagan expressed her frustration openly, warning officers, “You’re going to regret it,” just before she was placed in handcuffs. Meanwhile, Hannan reacted with agitation, shouting, “Get your f—g hands off me,” and attempting to break free from officers as they struggled to subdue her.
Grasso maintained that his client tried to remain calm against the aggressive approach of police officers, claiming that the officers were the ones escalating the scenario. He noted that except for Hannan, no one was making an effort to ease the tension during the arrest.
According to reports, both women had been consuming alcohol prior to the confrontation. Following the incident, Hannan and Flanagan faced arraignment, where they expressed concern over how rapidly the situation had deteriorated.
An employee at the Clarke Cooke House declined to comment when contacted for details about the incident. As the legal community observes, this case raises questions regarding conduct during arrests and the possible implications for those involved in such high-profile legal positions.
Hannan’s lawyer conveyed that she remains overwhelmed by the unpredictable nature of the events, highlighting that such an experience is atypical for her.
This ongoing situation serves as a critical reminder of the complexities and challenges that can arise during interactions between the legal system and those who operate within it.
Disclaimer: This article was automatically written by Open AI. The people, facts, circumstances, and story may be inaccurate, and any article can be requested removed, retracted, or corrected by writing an email to contact@publiclawlibrary.org.