New Haven Judge Dismisses Charges Against 3 Officers in Randy Cox Case

New Haven Judge Dismisses All Charges in Randy Cox Paralysis Case

A New Haven Superior Court judge dismissed criminal charges in February 2026 against the three remaining officers charged in connection with the 2022 incident in which Randy Cox was left paralyzed in the back of a police van, effectively ending the criminal cases related to the case without any convictions.

Judge David Zagaja dismissed all charges against Oscar Diaz, Jocelyn Lavandier, and Luis Rivera, using a probation program that will allow the charges to be erased entirely from their records. The three officers had opted for trial rather than accept plea deals like two other officers in the case did in November 2025.

State's Attorney John P. Doyle Jr.'s office indicated that both prosecutors and Cox did not object to the charges being dismissed.

What Happened to Randy Cox

Richard "Randy" Cox was arrested at a block party in New Haven on June 19, 2022. During transport in a police van with no seat belts, the vehicle braked suddenly, and Cox -- whose hands were cuffed behind his back -- was thrown head-first into a metal partition. Cox was left paralyzed from the chest down.

Officers then dragged Cox from the van and around the police department building. Despite his pleas for medical attention, Cox was booked in a wheelchair and placed in a holding cell before paramedics finally took him to a hospital. Officers at the scene reportedly mocked Cox and accused him of being drunk and faking his injuries.

The incident was captured on video and drew national attention. The city of New Haven agreed to settle a civil lawsuit with Cox in 2023 for $45 million -- one of the largest police misconduct settlements in Connecticut history.

The Criminal Cases

Five officers were charged in connection with the incident. In November 2025, former Sergeant Betsy Segui and former Officer Ronald Pressley each reached agreements with prosecutors, paid $15, and avoided prison time through plea deals.

Diaz, Lavandier, and Rivera chose to pursue trial instead. Their charges were ultimately dismissed by Judge Zagaja through the probation program in February 2026. The judge noted that their conduct was not malicious in issuing the ruling.

Officers' Employment Status

All four officers were terminated by the New Haven Police Department in June 2023 for violating police conduct policies. Pressley retired before internal proceedings concluded.

Since their terminations, the officers have pursued reinstatement through the labor arbitration process with varying results. Diaz won reinstatement through arbitration and has since returned to the department. Segui lost her arbitration appeal and remains terminated. Lavandier is actively pursuing reinstatement, with her appeal still pending.

Mayor Elicker's Response

Mayor Justin Elicker publicly criticized the judicial outcome. "What happened to Randy was tragic and wrong," Elicker said, adding that the city "disagrees with the court's decision" but will respect it. He noted that the police department has implemented reforms since the 2022 incident, including requiring that detainees be secured with seat belts during transport.

The mayor's comments reflect tension between the city's position -- which acknowledged wrongdoing through the $45 million settlement and officer terminations -- and a judicial outcome that leaves none of the five officers with criminal convictions.

Accountability and Reform

The New Haven Police Department's response to the Cox incident included the firing of four officers and the implementation of new transport policies. However, the lack of criminal convictions, combined with Diaz's reinstatement through arbitration, has drawn criticism from community advocates and civil rights observers who argue the accountability measures fell short.

The $45 million settlement, funded by city taxpayers, stands as the most concrete acknowledgment of institutional responsibility in the case. However, critics have noted that civil settlements and criminal accountability are distinct processes -- and that the dismissal of all criminal charges means the officers' records will reflect no criminal wrongdoing related to an incident that left a man paralyzed.

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