Post by wrightnow on Oct 21, 2006 20:48:06 GMT -5
2/11/2005 10:54:00 AM Email this article • Print this article
Man sues over arrest
AUBREY WOODS
BROWNSTOWN — A 63-year-old Scott County man has sued a Jackson County police officer and Sheriff Jerry Hounshel, claiming his civil rights were violated when he was arrested on a murder charge in 2003.
According to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, in New Albany, John P. Wilson contends that county Detective Rick Blaker failed to properly investigate the facts surrounding the murder of Ronald Dale Bruner of Vallonia in 1997, leading to his wrongful arrest.
Wilson, Leonard Proffit, 46, and Johnny Wayt, 34, were arrested in January 2003 in connection with the investigation into Bruner’s murder. Wilson was released from the Jackson County Jail March 26, 2003.
Proffit and Shannon Weber, 37, have been convicted in Bruner’s stabbing death. Wayt, of Brownstown, is scheduled to stand trial March 29 in Jackson Circuit Court.
In December 2004, the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld Proffit’s appeal of his conviction on voluntary manslaughter and murder charges, and on Jan. 27, the Indiana Supreme Court denied Proffit’s petition to transfer his case to that court from the appeals court.
Neither Blaker or Hounshel would comment on Wilson’s lawsuit.
County attorney Rodney Farrow said he had not yet had a chance to review the case with either man.
Bradley Johnson, Wilson’s attorney, could not be reached for comment about the case.
Wilson contends Blaker submitted false or misleading information to support an affidavit of probably cause, which resulted in Wilson’s arrest, and that Hounshel failed to properly hire, train or supervise Blaker.
Wilson also contends he was held for more than 60 days in violation of his Fourth and 14th Amendment Rights of illegal search and seizure and equal protection under the law. His arrest also led to Wilson’s loss of liberty, employment, damage to his character and extreme emotional anguish, Wilson contends in the lawsuit.
Wilson is seeking monetary and punitive damages from Blaker and Hounshel as well as attorney fees.
Man sues over arrest
AUBREY WOODS
BROWNSTOWN — A 63-year-old Scott County man has sued a Jackson County police officer and Sheriff Jerry Hounshel, claiming his civil rights were violated when he was arrested on a murder charge in 2003.
According to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, in New Albany, John P. Wilson contends that county Detective Rick Blaker failed to properly investigate the facts surrounding the murder of Ronald Dale Bruner of Vallonia in 1997, leading to his wrongful arrest.
Wilson, Leonard Proffit, 46, and Johnny Wayt, 34, were arrested in January 2003 in connection with the investigation into Bruner’s murder. Wilson was released from the Jackson County Jail March 26, 2003.
Proffit and Shannon Weber, 37, have been convicted in Bruner’s stabbing death. Wayt, of Brownstown, is scheduled to stand trial March 29 in Jackson Circuit Court.
In December 2004, the Indiana Court of Appeals upheld Proffit’s appeal of his conviction on voluntary manslaughter and murder charges, and on Jan. 27, the Indiana Supreme Court denied Proffit’s petition to transfer his case to that court from the appeals court.
Neither Blaker or Hounshel would comment on Wilson’s lawsuit.
County attorney Rodney Farrow said he had not yet had a chance to review the case with either man.
Bradley Johnson, Wilson’s attorney, could not be reached for comment about the case.
Wilson contends Blaker submitted false or misleading information to support an affidavit of probably cause, which resulted in Wilson’s arrest, and that Hounshel failed to properly hire, train or supervise Blaker.
Wilson also contends he was held for more than 60 days in violation of his Fourth and 14th Amendment Rights of illegal search and seizure and equal protection under the law. His arrest also led to Wilson’s loss of liberty, employment, damage to his character and extreme emotional anguish, Wilson contends in the lawsuit.
Wilson is seeking monetary and punitive damages from Blaker and Hounshel as well as attorney fees.