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Plaintiffs Prevail in Objections to Taxed Bill of Costs
Following their arrest, conviction and imprisonment in 2002, Plaintiffs Kimberly Sykes and Tevya Urquhart, had the convictions overturned on appeal in 2004. Each woman then filed suit against various police officers in 2005 pursuant to 42 U.S.C. sec. 1983 alleging Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment violations. The cases were consolidated in 2006.
In February 2008, following a three-week trial, the jury awarded Plaintiffs compensatory damages for a combined total of $2.1 million, and punitive damages totaling an additional $500,000. Later that year, Plaintiffs submitted a bill of costs to the court clerk with costs totaling more than $8,000. The clerk entered a bill of costs totaling almost $600 less. Plaintiffs objected to the shortage, arguing the original bill was accurate pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sec. 1920, which governs what costs are taxable. On October 28, 2008, the Court sustained the Plaintiffs' objections and ordered additional costs in the amount of $595. See: Sykes/Urquhart v. Anderson/Nichols, USDC, E.D. Mich., No. 05-71199, 05-73725.
In February 2008, following a three-week trial, the jury awarded Plaintiffs compensatory damages for a combined total of $2.1 million, and punitive damages totaling an additional $500,000. Later that year, Plaintiffs submitted a bill of costs to the court clerk with costs totaling more than $8,000. The clerk entered a bill of costs totaling almost $600 less. Plaintiffs objected to the shortage, arguing the original bill was accurate pursuant to 28 U.S.C. sec. 1920, which governs what costs are taxable. On October 28, 2008, the Court sustained the Plaintiffs' objections and ordered additional costs in the amount of $595. See: Sykes/Urquhart v. Anderson/Nichols, USDC, E.D. Mich., No. 05-71199, 05-73725.
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Related legal case
Sykes/Urquhart v. Anderson/Nichols
| Year | 2008 |
|---|---|
| Cite | USDC, E.D. Mich., No. 05-71199, 05-73725 |
| Level | District Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Damages | $2,600,000.00 |