Matt Murdank from Hunt & OHagen has promised to “Make their pockets hurt” in response to a media release from Sheriff Chris Stevens on 8th of February.
Blaine County Sheriff Chris Stevens confirmed that the Blane County Sheriffs Office had settled with a plaintiff after a deputy accidentally shot the suspect on the 13th of September 2024, during an attempt to fight off the locals.
After an investigation had taken place and statements gathered the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office found that during the arrest locals had opened fire on the deputy and in an attempt to fight off the locals had accidentally struck the suspect who was in cuffs
The Blaine County Sheriff’s Office has settled with Mr. Cain to try to make up for this error and accept responsibility for this unfortunate scenario. The Sheriff’s Office holds a very strict and steadfast “Please do not shoot individuals in cuffs” policy. We do not endorse, support, or glorify the actions that happened that day and will own up to the mistakes that happened.
Sheriff Chris Stevens, Blaine County Sheriff’s Office. (Press Release)
The deputy involved on the September 13th shooting is no longer employed with the Sheriffs officer, after being disciplined.
Matt Murdank responded to this press release minutes after, presenting a new lawsuit against the department alleging that another deputy had shot at their plaintiff Leo Harper, during a ‘non-violent’ police chase.
Today saw the release of a statement from Sheriff Chris Stevens of the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office affirming the department’s “please do not shoot individuals in cuffs” policy. Minutes later, however, we filed a claim on behalf of our client, Leo Harper. Mr. Harper was shot by Deputy Przemyslaw Wierzbicki while in handcuffs.
Matt Murdank, Hunt & OHagen (Press Release)
The plaintiff, Leo Harper is suing the Blaine County Sheriff’s office for $150,000. Broken down in to three totals of $50,000 for the injuries suffered, a violations of rights and punitive damages.
Murdank goes onto allege that the ‘non-violent’ behavior from Mr Harper was not a fair reason to use lethal force, which he sees as a systemic problem throughout the department.
Issues of itchy trigger fingers and unrepentant aggression run deep across multiple departments, and it is only through rigorous and intentional cultural change that we will see improvements to these problems; they are systemic.
Matt Murdank, Hunt & OHagen (Press Release)
The law enforcement departments pockets are hurting, with a minimum of $170,000 coughed up over a number of lawsuits last year, excluding any private settlements.
If they will not respond to public opinion, perhaps they will respond to incentives. We are therefore left with one choice: Make their pockets hurt.
Matt Murdank, Hunt & OHagen (Press Release)
Leave a Reply