Vegas Lawyer Seeking Damages from Metro Police Department
Posted By De Castroverde Law Group on Jul 30, 2010 2:15pm PDT
David Lee Phillips is a defense attorney in Las Vegas and the son of a prominent civil rights leader. He is also the subject of a lawsuit against Metro Police. In February of 2008, he was jogging in a historically black neighborhood at night when he was stopped by an officer. When Phillips refused to consent to a search without legal justification, which is his constitutional right, the officer called for backup.
Five white officers and one Hispanic officer were at the scene. According to Phillips, they threatened him and insulted him, as well as claimed that as Metro Police Officers, they could do whatever they wanted. When he refused to walk to the patrol car, one officer threatened to Taser him if he moved and another pointed his Taser at him. The first officer then attempted to kick Phillips to the ground, and the other officers jumped on him.
Phillips informed the officers of his rights but he was ignored. When Phillips refused to sign a citation, he was arrested. Police report that he resisted arrest, although Phillips denies this.
It is speculated that part of the reason he did not file a lawsuit immediately is because his son had just emerged from a coma, but has since died. He is seeking $75,000 in emotional trauma and pain and suffering, as well as $75,000 in restitution. Phillips has lost business because of the incident.
If you need a to file a personal injury suit, contact a Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney at the De Castroverde Law Group.