Federal jury sides with Williamsburg police officer over Jellico woman’s brutality claim

After almost three hours of deliberations Thursday a federal jury found that Williamsburg Police Officer did not violate a Jellico, Tenn. woman’s civil rights when he arrested her outside the Days Inn Motel on May 14, 2008.

 

"We will let the jury’s verdict speak for itself," said Williamsburg Mayor Roddy Harrison following the conclusion of the trial.

 

Michael Taylor, the Williamsburg City Police Officer accused of the misdeeds, declined to comment after the trial, but denied he did anything improper when he testified during the proceedings.

 

Taylor arrested Kimberly Perkins, the plaintiff in the case, on one count of alcohol intoxication after he encountered her as she walked from the motel to the neighboring Krystal restaurant. He testified that he was called to the motel in response to a complaint that someone had trashed the motel’s office and breakfast area that morning. Perkins was pointed out by the manager as a suspect.

 

Perkins testified that Taylor touched her breasts and ran his hands between her thighs when he patted her down. When Taylor felt the bandages on her legs from recent surgery to remove chronic abscesses, he proceeded to remove those bandages and some of the gauze that was packing the open wounds. In addition, Perkins claimed that Taylor used a metal object to probe the open wounds, claiming that he was searching for drugs.

 

Perkins added that Taylor ignored her repeated screams of pain and pleas for medical help.

 

Finally, Perkins noted that more than $500 in cash, her medications prescribed following her surgery, which included Hydrocodone and Methadone, two gold rings, and several winning lottery tickets were not returned upon her released from jail.

 

Taylor testified that he did not take her medication or any of the other items when Perkins was arrested.

 

The jury of seven women and two men heard testimony from seven witnesses Wednesday and Thursday. They began deliberations about 4:05 p.m. and returned with the verdict about 6:45.

 

"We felt like we had a fair trial," said Perkins’ attorney John Spainhour. "Kim had a chance to tell her side of the story. We are disappointed with the verdict."