Tag: Sophia

Court Allows Lawsuit Against Sophia Patrolman to Proceed

A federal judge has dismissed charges against Sophia in a police brutality lawsuit, but allowed a lawsuit seeking punitive damages to proceed against the patrolman accused of beating and kicking a handcuffed man.

The Register-Herald reports that U.S. District Court Judge Irene Burger last week in Beckley dismissed numerous charges against Sophia and its police department. Burger ruled that the town and police department cannot be sued because they are legal entities.

Burger also said that such immunity doesn’t apply to employees, including Sophia Patrolman Zach Issa.

Plaintiff Travis L. Honaker filed a lawsuit in March, saying Issa hit, kicked and stomped him while he was handcuffed following an arrest on Sept. 21, 2013.

Sophia Mayor Danny Barr says he thinks Issa will be found innocent during a summer 2016 jury trial.

Town of Sophia Asks Judge to Dismiss Police Brutality Lawsuit

Sophia and a town police officer have asked a judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the officer beat a handcuffed man during an arrest.

Attorneys for Sophia argue in a recent motion that the town can’t be held liable for the officer’s alleged actions merely because he’s an employee.

The motion says the lawsuit doesn’t allege that the execution of any town policy or custom resulted in injury.

The motion also says the town and Patrolman Zach Issa are immune from a punitive damages claim.

Travis Lane Honaker filed the federal lawsuit in March. The lawsuit alleges that Issa hit, kicked and stomped Honaker while he was handcuffed following an arrest on Sept. 21, 2013.

The Register-Herald first reported the town’s motion.

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