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Danny Bennett and Danny Reid v. Dennis Lee Hendrix

Date: 05-05-2007

Case Number: 1:00-cv-02520-TWT

Judge: Thomas W. Thrash, Jr,

Court: United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Fulton County)

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Bob Goldstucker and Mark Lefkow of Nall & Miller, Atlanta, Georgia

Eric Chofnas, Office of Eric S. Chofnas, Alpharetta, Georgia

Defendant's Attorney:

Cynthia Daley and Paul Koster of Daley, Koster & LaVallee, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia

Christopher Balch of Jarrard & Davis, Cumming, Georgia

Phillip Friduss of Hall Booth Smith & Slover, Atlanta, Georgia

Description:

Danny Bennett and Danny Reid sued former Forsyth County Sheriff Dennis Lee Hendrix, former Chief Deputy Earl Singletary and former Major and present Sergeant David Waters on a civil rights theory, 42 U.S.C. 1983, claiming that defendant used his public office to surveil, harass and intimidate them in retaliation for Plaintiffs' support of a referendum in 1998 that called for creation of a countywide police force and a reduction in the sheriff's powers. The referendum was defeated, but Bennett and Reid contended a campaign of retaliation and intimidation continued through a "strike force" that Hendrix created in the Sheriff's Department. Plaintiffs further claimed that in connection with the 2000 election for Sheriff, Defendant Hendrix orchestrated a smear campaign calling the Plaintiffs "convicted criminals" and "convicted felons" who "terrorize Forsyth County." Plaintiffs alleged that, at the same time, their homes and businesses were put under surveillance, roadblocks were set up near their homes.

Outcome:

The jury awarded Danny Bennett $3.6 million and Danny Reid $3.1 million for libel. The jury also awarded $2.8 million to Bennett for First Amendment retaliation. The trial judge granted judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the First Amendment retaliation claims.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Lt. Roger Dewitt, Gwinnett County, GA

Defendant's Experts:

None

Comments:

Per Plaintiffs' counsel, the Plaintiffs put on evidence of a "strike force" run by Sheriff Hendrix targeting the Plaintiffs because of their support of the 1998 Referendum. Accordingly, Plaintiffs intend to appeal the trial court's decision to dismiss the First Amendment retaliation claims after jury deliberations.

- Mark Lefkow
Nall & Miller, LLP
235 Peachtree Street, NE
Suite 1500
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 522-2200

About This Case

What was the outcome of Danny Bennett and Danny Reid v. Dennis Lee Hendrix?

The outcome was: The jury awarded Danny Bennett $3.6 million and Danny Reid $3.1 million for libel. The jury also awarded $2.8 million to Bennett for First Amendment retaliation. The trial judge granted judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the First Amendment retaliation claims.

Which court heard Danny Bennett and Danny Reid v. Dennis Lee Hendrix?

This case was heard in United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Fulton County), GA. The presiding judge was Thomas W. Thrash, Jr,.

Who were the attorneys in Danny Bennett and Danny Reid v. Dennis Lee Hendrix?

Plaintiff's attorney: Bob Goldstucker and Mark Lefkow of Nall & Miller, Atlanta, Georgia Eric Chofnas, Office of Eric S. Chofnas, Alpharetta, Georgia. Defendant's attorney: Cynthia Daley and Paul Koster of Daley, Koster & LaVallee, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia Christopher Balch of Jarrard & Davis, Cumming, Georgia Phillip Friduss of Hall Booth Smith & Slover, Atlanta, Georgia.

When was Danny Bennett and Danny Reid v. Dennis Lee Hendrix decided?

This case was decided on May 5, 2007.