Written by Janet
In Detroit, a jury will begin deliberations in a lawsuit brought by a man who claims a Detroit police officer put a finger in his rectum during a traffic stop and drug arrest.
Attorneys made their closing arguments Wednesday in the lawsuit brought by 28-year-old Terence Hopkins. Hopkins says Sgt. Michael Osman illegally performed a body cavity search on him during the 2006 traffic stop while Osman’s partner, Officer Michael Parish, stood by. Hopkins was arrested on suspicion of possession of marijuana and ecstasy.
The police officer, Osman has denied the allegations.
Detroit has paid out more than $700,000 to settle similar claims against the officers, including payments of $349,000 each to two men two years ago. Hopkins is seeking $1 million or more.
newsdeskinternational
/ 09/30/2009Update:
A jury has cleared a Detroit police officer in a lawsuit alleging he conducted an illegal search by sticking his finger in the rectum of a suspect during a traffic stop and drug arrest.
The jury deliberated for about an hour Wednesday before clearing Sgt. Michael Osman and his partner, Officer Michael Parish, of wrongdoing.
Twenty-eight-year-old Terence Hopkins accused Osman of sticking his finger in Hopkins’ rectum during a 2006 drug arrest while Parish stood by. Hopkins was seeking $1 million or more.
The city of Detroit has paid more than $700,000 in settlements to four men who made similar allegations against the officers. Those settlements were deemed inadmissible as evidence in the Hopkins lawsuit.