PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania state trooper was awarded tens of thousands of dollars damages in a federal lawsuit stemming from a fight on the Gateway Clipper.
“If this can happen to a state police officer who was an Iraq war veteran, then who amongst us is safe,” said Timothy O’Brien, attorney for Trooper David Williams.
Williams was arrested in Sept. of 2014 while attending a wedding in Pittsburgh. He was charged with hitting two Pittsburgh police officers who tried to break up a fight.
Surveillance video showed the officers tackling Williams.
“Mr Williams was moving away from the scene. Police then kicked him,” O’Brien said.
TRENDING NOW:
- Search widens for Facebook murder suspect
- Bride, groom flying to wedding booted from United flight
- Student's camera records his own drowning death on school trip
- Six rue21 stores in Pittsburgh area closing
Charges against Williams were dropped, but he sued the police officers in federal court saying his reputation was damaged.
On Monday, a jury partially agreed. Officers Erick Baker and Brendan Nee were found liable. A jury awarded Williams $55,000 in damages.
“His reputation has been restored. Whether or not it will stop what police do in the future remains to be seen,” O’Brien said.
When reached for comment after the verdict, the Pittsburgh police department said, “It would be inappropriate for us to comment on court decisions, so we are not providing comment.”
Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto's office said, "It is the jury’s right to render a verdict based on the evidence as they see it. While the jury may not agree with the police officers, we appreciate their time and attention to this case."
RELATED CONTENT:
- Charges dropped against state trooper allegedly involved in wedding fight
- Wedding brawl leads to several arrests including off-duty state trooper
Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/XCUXZC2XYZHCRGNNGKFEX6U3LQ.png)
