Wrongful Arrest / Malicious Prosecution Archives - Page 2 of 2

Professor’s Arrest for Jaywalking Makes National Headlines

During her walk home after teaching classes at Arizona State University, English professor Ersula Ore was stopped by police for jaywalking. Video footage from the police dash provides evidence that Ore was walking in the middle of the Tempe, Arizona street. The footage also provides a clear picture as to why such a routine incident has received national media attention.

According to this CNN article, the interaction between Ore and the police officer became volatile, ending in the arrest of Ore. After she was asked by the officer to produce her ID, Ore became defensive, Officer Ferrin in turn threatened to arrest the professor.

“If you don’t understand the law, I’m explaining the law to you. The reason I’m talking to you right now is because you are walking in the middle of the street.” Officer Ferrin explained to Ore.

The dashboard video provides that Ore explained to the officer that she was walking in the road to avoid construction. As Officer Ferrin began to cuff Professor Ore, Ore became belligerent, “Don’t touch me. Get your hands off me.” The officer then warned Ore if she did not comply, he would slam her into the car. As she resisted, Officer Ferrin forced Ore to the ground, Ore’s skirt rising up in the process, revealing her anatomy for anyone in close proximity to see.

As the officer pulled the professor from the ground, Ore kicked Ferrin in his shin. Ore is facing charges of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest, failing to provide ID and obstruction of a public thoroughfare.

In a written statement to CNN, Ore’s attorney wrote, “Professor Ore’s one crime that evening was to demand respect that she deserves as a productive, educated and tax paying member of society.” Further elaborating, “She can clearly be heard on the dash video instructing the officer not to grab toward her genital area prior to him reaching for her in an attempt to pull her skirt down.

The university stated that it did not find evidence of inappropriate actions from the officers involved.

If you or someone you know thinks they have experienced a false arrest, the team at Radford & Keebaugh can help. Contact us by phone at (678) 369-3609 or use our contact form.

College officials’ search of professor’s home violates Fourth Amendment: Order

We are proud to announce this Order, which we received today in the case of Mundy v. Hambright, et al. This case involves a truly bizarre set of facts. Our client, a former college professor at Coastal College of Georgia, resigned after an employment-related dispute. After his resignation, the college president directed one of our client’s colleagues to enter our client’s home and search it for evidence of his whereabouts. This particular colleague also threatened our client’s life and sent him disturbing letters. The college president and the colleague sought to dismiss the complaint, arguing that their conduct did not implicate the Fourth Amendment. A federal court has rejected their argument and will allow this important Fourth Amendment case to proceed.

Mundy v. Hambright, et al. – Order Denying Motion to Dismiss by jamesradfordjr

The Central Park Five Settle with NYC for $40 million

As detailed in this article, five men falsely convicted of the infamous Central Park rape have reached a $40 million settlement with New York City.

Amid racial tension and unrest in NYC, on April 19, 1989, a female jogger was brutally beaten and raped in Central Park. In efforts to curb the city’s outrage over the horrific crime, city officials were in a frenzy to find and punish those responsible. The night of the attack, police received reports of “wolf packs” made up of black and latino teens roaming Central Park. Five teenage boys were arrested and later convicted of the crime. Then Mayor Ed Koch called the attack “the crime of the century,” and Donald Trump started an intensive campaign for the death penalty to be reinstated.

Throughout the criminal process, the five men maintained their innocence and alleged police railroaded them during their interrogations. The men were eventually found guilty of the attack. Four were in prison just under seven years, the fifth served almost thirteen years. After an incarcerated career criminal confessed to the crime and DNA evidence was provided to substantiate his claim, the five men were exonerated.

In a response to the settlement reached between the parties, Senator Bill Perkins stated, “This chapter of our racist history needs to be closed and never repeated again.”

If you or someone you know believes they have been the victim of a false arrest or malicious prosecution, the team at Radford & Keebaugh can help. Contact us by phone at (678) 369-3609 or use our contact form.

Jury Awards Montville Grandfather $50,000 in Damages in Excessive Force Suit Against New London, Connecticut Police

According to a recent article Jury Awards Montville Grandfather $50,000 in Damages in Excessive Force Suit Against New London Police, Robert D. Crawford intervened after a fight broke out at a New London High School basketball game. Mr. Crawford, who was 64 at the time of incident, held one of players to the ground until police arrived on the scene. Crawford claims that when police arrived, he was pushed against a wall, put in a strong hold, and forced to the ground. As a result, Mr. Crawford suffered a fractured tooth and dislocated his jaw. Police charged Mr. Crawford with third-degree assault, interfering with an officer and risk of injury to minor.

Police claim Mr. Crawford was verbally confrontational and tensed up, pushing himself off the wall during his scuffle with police. Video footage shows Mr. Crawford facing the wall and falling backward to the ground. There was no audio on the recording that was provided in court.

In a complaint against New London police, Crawford filed a claim for excessive force, false arrest, malicious prosecution, assault and battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Ultimately, a jury decided only on the issues of excessive force and failure to intervene. Earlier this week, the jury cleared six of the seven officers named in the suit and ruled that the remaining officer did in fact use excessive force, awarding Mr. Crawford $50,000 in damages.

If you or someone you know thinks they have experienced false arrest and/or malicious prosecution, the team at Radford & Keebaugh can help. Contact us by phone at (678) 369-3609.