Pubdate: Mon, 13 Dec 2004
Source: Ledger-Enquirer (GA)
Copyright: 2004 Ledger-Enquirer
Contact:  http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/enquirer/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/237
Author: Kelli Esters, Staff Writer

3 SUE OVER I-185 STOP

Yukon Driver, Two Passengers Demand $3.5 Million In
Damages

The three men riding with Kenneth Walker on the night he was fatally
shot by then-Deputy Sheriff David Glisson filed a civil suit in U.S.
District Court on Monday, seeking $3.5 million in damages.

Named as defendants are the City of Columbus; Muscogee County Sheriff
Ralph Johnson; Special Response Team Deputy Sheriffs Jonnie Ellerbee,
Robert Taylor, Allen Humphrey, Rusty Blair and David Glisson.

The suit alleges the constitutional rights of Warren Beaulah, Anthony
Smith and Daryl Ransom were violated when they were handcuffed,
searched and detained for several hours without probable cause. In the
process, the men suffered extreme emotional distress and trauma. They
are seeking $3 million in compensatory damages and $500,000 in
punitive damages.

"The reason Kenneth Walker was killed was because of the improper
police procedures that were used that night," said Columbus attorney
Joseph Wiley Jr., co-counsel for the three men.

Law enforcement officers suspected the Yukon harbored armed drug
dealers when it was pulled over on Interstate 185. The men were told
to get out of the vehicle with their hands in the air and to get on
the ground as officers advanced, guns drawn. In the ensuing moments,
Walker was shot twice in the head. The three other men in the vehicle
were handcuffed and searched, but no weapons or drugs were found. The
men were then taken to the sheriff's department where they were held
in separate cells and questioned by deputies. No charges were filed
against the men.

Wiley, a former police officer, alleged the way the felony stop was
conducted violated police rule books. He said felony apprehensions
should occur in well-lit, open areas. Suspects should be dealt with
one at a time as other officers provide cover.

"The Special Response Team is the highest caliber of trained officers
the sheriff had to offer that night," Wiley said. "They showed the
lowest performance that an officer can exhibit in a situation like
that."

Johnson could not be reached Monday for comment.

"We will file an appropriate motion when we look at the facts and what
allegations were made," Mayor Bob Poydasheff said.
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