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$50,171 for Indiana False Arrest and 30 Hours Confinement
A federal jury in Indiana awarded a woman $30,171 in compensatory damages
and $20,000 in punitive damages for false arrest and confinement for 30 hours.
On September 19, 2002, Jennifer Wert entered the intersection of Emerson
Avenue and I-70 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Due to a collision on I-70,
Indiana State Police Trooper Patrick Spellman was directing traffic from
I-70 back to Emerson.
Wert asked Spellman for directions. He refused. As she began to back
down the interstate ramp, she muttered "Asshole" under her breath.
Spellman claimed she actually said "Fuck you Asshole" and threatened to "get
someone to kill your ass."
Spellman directed her to pull over, removed her from her car, handcuffed
her and transported her to jail for disorderly conduct and intimidation.
She was held in custody for 30 hours.
Ultimately, Wert was acquitted of the charges and she brought suit against
Spellman in federal court. On April 12, 2005, a federal jury found that
Spellman violated Wert's right to be free from unreasonable seizure and
awarded Wert $30,171 in compensatory and $20,000 in punitive damages. See:
Wert v. Spellman, USDC SD IN, Case No. 1:02-cv-01553-LJM-VSS.
and $20,000 in punitive damages for false arrest and confinement for 30 hours.
On September 19, 2002, Jennifer Wert entered the intersection of Emerson
Avenue and I-70 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Due to a collision on I-70,
Indiana State Police Trooper Patrick Spellman was directing traffic from
I-70 back to Emerson.
Wert asked Spellman for directions. He refused. As she began to back
down the interstate ramp, she muttered "Asshole" under her breath.
Spellman claimed she actually said "Fuck you Asshole" and threatened to "get
someone to kill your ass."
Spellman directed her to pull over, removed her from her car, handcuffed
her and transported her to jail for disorderly conduct and intimidation.
She was held in custody for 30 hours.
Ultimately, Wert was acquitted of the charges and she brought suit against
Spellman in federal court. On April 12, 2005, a federal jury found that
Spellman violated Wert's right to be free from unreasonable seizure and
awarded Wert $30,171 in compensatory and $20,000 in punitive damages. See:
Wert v. Spellman, USDC SD IN, Case No. 1:02-cv-01553-LJM-VSS.
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Related legal case
Wert v. Spellman
| Year | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC SD IN, Case No. 1:02-cv-01553-LJM-VSS |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 50171 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |