Date: 04-05-2000

Case Style: Freddie McCollum v. McDaniel, et al.

Case Number: 98cv824

Judge: Catherine C. Blake

Court: United States District Court for the District of Maryland - Greenbelt

Plaintiff's Attorney: John E. Smathers and Michael McGowan of McGowan & Smathers, Laurel, Maryland and John C. Harvey, Jr. of the Law Office of John C. Harvey, Jr., Lanham, Maryland.

Defendant's Attorney: Laura J. Gwinn, William A. Snoddy and Shalisha Hines Ivy , Associate County Attorney, Prince George's County, Maryland

Description: Civil Rights - 42 U.S.C. 1983 - Excessive use of force claim. Plaintiff claimed that three Prince George's county police officers violated his civil rights when they beat him so badly that he lost the vision in his right eye and the use of his left hand. Freddie McCollum, age 53, a former construction worker, was stopped for a traffic offense near his home in June 1997. He went to his house to retrieve his driver's license after being stopped. The officers claimed that McCollum slammed the door on the arm of one of the officer who had stopped him. That officer called for backup and they entered McCollum's house without a warrant, found him hiding in the attic, beat him about the face and ribs with their batons and set a police dog on him.

Outcome: Plaintiff. Medicals $67,000, Loss of earning capacity $145,000, Non-economic $3.5 million and $400,000 in punitive damages.

Plaintiff's Experts: None

Defendant's Experts: None

Comments: Processed JF