Pocono News Section

Vega Family Sues Shenandoah Officers

Vega Family Sues Shenandoah Officers - Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 5:41PM EST

Reported by: Kyla Campbell
Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009 @ 05:41pm EST

It's been five years since 18-year-old David Vega was found dead in his Shenandoah jail cell. Police say Vega hanged himself, but attorney John Karoly says expert pathologists disagree.

"There are a dozen or so physical results you'd expect to find from a self-hanging, and they weren't there," said Karoly, the Vega family's attorney.

Vega's family claims in a civil lawsuit that Chief Matthew Nestor, his father and former Captain Raymond Nestor, and Captain Jamie Gennarini beat Vega to death, then tried to make it look like he killed himself.

"He was an 18-year-old with everything to live for," said Karoly.

"He wanted to go to college, to join the Marines," said David's father, Carlos.

They say Shenandoah police routinely mistreated Hispanics, including the Vega case, and the beating death of Luis Ramirez, where police are accused of obstructing justice. Chief Nestor, Captain Gennarini and two other officers were charged with federal crimes Tuesday.

"We'll never forget December 15th," said Vega. "We have a lot of believers now."

He says friends and strangers, who didn't previously believe the officers could be corrupt, called in support.

"Whether we're black, white, Hispanic, Mexican - treat us all the same," said Vega. "Give us the same justice."