Finally: Greenwich Cops Reopen Bria Drug Death Case

News Article Via: Stamford Advocate & Greenwich Time

GREENWICH ROUNDUP BACKGROUND COLUMNS FOLLOW THIS GREENWICH TIME ARTICLE.

Police reopen fatal overdose case

Three years after closing the case, police are reinvestigating the 2004 fatal overdose of a Greenwich teenager following a civil suit they say has raised questions about whether drug or other charges are warranted.

The evidence is from a separate suit against friends who were at a party at the young man's Pemberwick home the night he died, police Chief David Ridberg said. Bria, 19, was found dead by his father in his basement bedroom around 3 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2004....

Police reopened their probe after information from a civil case showing prescription and illegal drugs in John Bria III's blood as well as civil court affidavits an attorney for Bria's family said show inconsistent statements

...Please Educate Yourself About This Poor Byram Boy That Was Left To Die....

* 01/04/08 - Greenwich Police Officers Sit On The Post Road Looking For Burned Out Tailights In Hopes Of Making A Drug Arrest

* 02/03/08 - The Stamford Police Know How To Properly Investigate A Drug Death

* 02/04/08 - Savannah Lamotte, would tell police about John J. Bria's Death: "Maria and Jason picked me up around 9 p.m. …

* 02/06/08 - Dr. Ian Rubin's Family Has Complained About The Press, But At Least The Family Got Justice.

Stephan Seeger, a lawyer for Bria's family, said he provided Ridberg with the toxicological results as well as civil court affidavits in which witnesses made statements that are inconsistent with those initially given to police.

The new evidence is drawn from a lawsuit filed by Bria's parents in state Superior Court in Stamford in 2005. Named in the civil suit are Katie Hanscom, Savannah Lamotte, Megan Caron and Jason Cunningham, four youths who spent time with Bria the night of his death, and Cunningham's mother, Donna Cunningham, who picked up her son the morning after the party.

The suit alleges the four youths gave Bria illegal and/or prescription drugs at the party. It also alleges that the defendants, except for Lamotte, worked to cover up rather than notify Bria's parents, police, paramedics or anyone who could render Bria medical assistance.

Last year Bria's family won a legal victory when a Stamford judge ruled against a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, finding that those who provide fatal doses of illegal drugs can be civilly responsible for injuries and deaths.

[Cover up You Think]

What kind of police work is this?It's a shame that the GPD can't get it together.

[cops camera no action]

Educate yourself about this kids death.Post your opinion.

[listen]

i feel that they were teenagers and that what happen to the young man is unfortunate but nobody should be held accountable for his overdose .I feel the parents of this youg man should let here son rest in peace .

[Agreed]

I agree that this family needs to let thier son rest in peace, then maybe they can start the healing process and everyone can move forward. Their son made a poor decision, no one twisted his arm.

[Annoyed]

I feel remorse for Bria's family. But, I do not feel it is neccessary to chatge the other 4 kids as they were all consenting to the use of drugs. Charging the kids for what happened to their child is not going to bring him back. How did the police and his parents know the drugs were from the other kids. It could have been mutal exhanges. The question is, why did the kid have a party without his parents being there?? Obviously they were all young, mischievious and trying to have fun. Not everyone overdose which means Bria decided OD on his own. Every individual should be responsible for their own actions, no one forced him to take anything or atleast there are no articles stating he was forced. All facts should be revieved carefully and thoroughly before you try and place innocent people in jail.

[I Agree With You]

Annoyed wrote:

I feel remorse for Bria's family. But, I do not feel it is neccessary to chatge the other 4 kids as they were all consenting to the use of drugs. Charging the kids for what happened to their child is not going to bring him back. How did the police and his parents know the drugs were from the other kids. It could have been mutal exhanges. The question is, why did the kid have a party without his parents being there?? Obviously they were all young, mischievious and trying to have fun. Not everyone overdose which means Bria decided OD on his own. Every individual should be responsible for their own actions, no one forced him to take anything or atleast there are no articles stating he was forced. All facts should be revieved carefully and thoroughly before you try and place innocent people in jail.

I agree with you 100%!!!
I do KNOW ALL THE FACTS in this case and I believed then and I believe now, that the responsibility of John Bria's death is with John Bria and his Father.
John Bria CHOSE to take drugs and Mr. Bria because it was in HIS HOUSE....!!!
NOT the teenagers that were there. They were as screwed up as John.