Narrative profile and quotations by Isiah George

"I agree with the family that no justice was done, and I say that one of the most important things in this case that we have to remember was that the life of you know... Christinos death was caught in full color in a video tape that his younger sister had the foresight to pull out at 6:30 in the morning. That video demonstrated in black and white.. you know how the police suck the last minutes of this guys life.

I think no justice was done in this case, and police departments have learned very little and this city has learned very little. The problems are not gone be solved simply just by installing body cameras. We need much more serious form. The serious reforms are not community policing based. Those are the type of things that bring hundreds of resources to deal with issues of poverty in poor urban areas".

Source: Policing and Race in Worcester: The Story of Cristino Hernandez, A Latino Perspective Video 30:35 - 40:48

July 8, 1993: "A lawyer for the Hernández family, Héctor E. Piñeiro, informs the press that he has contacted the Office of U.S. Attorney A. John Pappalardo to call for an investigation and that he also intends to contact the state Attorney General ́s Office".

July 9, 1993: "Police Chief Edward P. Gardella tells the Telegram & Gazette that the department ́s investigation has not uncovered any wrongdoing by the arresting officers, who have not been relieved of duty. Gardella also affirms that toxicology tests on Hernández were negative and that he had not regained consciousness, but was in “fair” condition. Family lawyer, Héctor E. Piñeiro, counters that Hernández has “severe brain damage” and “the prognosis remains extremely poor for any meaningful recovery.”

July 13, 1993: "Family members and their lawyer, Héctor Piñeiro, meet with Mulford, Police Chief Gardella, and City Solicitor Gary S. Brackett to tell them their version of events and show them the videotape. According to Piñeiro, a medical report indicates that the brain damage suffered by Hernández was the result of oxygen deprivation: “He was eprived of oxygen for a very significant period of time [...] The issues here are, did the police use excessive force, as the family clearly suggests they did and, secondly, was there a delay in providing medical attention?”

Source: Interviews by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette