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“Grill” Removal Results in $95,000 Settlement by Tennessee Jail

A Tennessee man whose “grill” was ripped off by a sheriff’s deputy has received a $95,000 pre-litigation settlement.

While Anthony McCoy was being processed into the Davidson County Jail for failing to pay child support, McCoy had his gold “grill” yanked out of his mouth by Lt. Tanya Mayhew. McCoy had told deputies that his “grill” was cemented in and could not be removed, but Mayhew did not seem to care.

Mayhew’s actions caused $10,000 in damage to McCoy’s teeth. Adding to the tooth damage, McCoy went untreated for ten days following the incident.

Mayhew violated Davidson County Jail policy, according to a report by legal staff for the Metro Council Office.

“[S]ince Lt. Mayhew violated a departmental policy by reaching into Mr. McCoy’s mouth, and since the plaintiff may be able to present evidence that the sheriff’s department has violated these policies on prior occasions,” the Metro Council legal staff recommended the county settle the suit for $95,000.

Correct Care Solutions, the contractor responsible for providing medical care at the jail, agreed to pay $20,000 of the settlement. McCoy was represented by attorney David Raybin. This is a pre-litigation settlement, hence no citation.

Source: www.tennessean.com

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