No criminal charges will be pursued against the Haverhill police officers involved in the July 2025 incident that led to the death of Francis Gigliotti, as announced by Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker. After an extensive investigation led by the DA’s office with the assistance of an independent expert, Tucker stated earlier today that the evidence did not support criminal charges, reaffirming that the Haverhill police followed proper procedure during the encounter.
According to NBC Boston, Gigliotti died of "cardiac dysrhythmia in a person with acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and ethanol while being restrained prone by police." The distressing circumstance unfolded when Haverhill police attempted to arrest Gigliotti, who, they claimed, was behaving erratically and risking his life in traffic. The events leading to Gigliotti's death were captured on video, and his autopsy report labeled the death as a homicide.
In a statement obtained by WCVB, Tucker reiterated that the independent expert considered the force used by the officers "consistent with established law and training." Meanwhile, Gigliotti's family has expressed their intention to file a civil lawsuit against the city, alleging inadequate training on the appropriate use of force by the city's first responders. This legal action follows the controversial resignation of Haverhill's police chief, who stepped down following a vote of no confidence by the union.
The city has responded to the outcry and scrutiny by hiring an outside investigator to scrutinize the police department's practices. The mayor and the acting police chief are set to reveal further details during a news conference on Tuesday. Amid the ongoing controversy, and the suit announced by Gigliotti's estate yesterday, Haverhill authorities are placed under a lens, examining the policies and procedures that may have contributed to a man's death in their custody.
