By JODY MURPHY - Parkersburg News and Sentinel
PARKERSBURG - A 2009 lawsuit filed by a Parkersburg man against city police has been settled.
Parkersburg police reached a settlement agreement with Craig Nelson, over a 2009 lawsuit in which Nelson claimed injuries and accused officers of shooting his dog without provocation.
Parkersburg police Chief Joe Martin said the suit was settled for $2,500 with the city admitting no wrong-doing.
"We settled it for $2,500 and it costs the insurance company $20,000 to defend it," Martin said.
Nelson, who was arrested for public intoxication, alleged he was physically injured by officers who also shot his dog without provocation and later taunted him about the shooting.
According to the criminal complaints in Wood County Magistrate Court, Nelson was charged with public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, failure to render information and two charges of assaulting a police officer.
Tuesday afternoon, the Parkersburg City Council's Finance Committee approved a number of intradepartmental budget revisions, including one for $15,000 within the police department to cover insurance deductibles, the result of lawsuits and complaints.
The city still has three lawsuits pending, as well as claims made to the city's insurance company.
While the police admitted no wrong-doing in the Nelson suit, officials have confirmed Patrolman Nathan Deuley has been placed on paid leave, pending an investigation. Deuley has been on paid leave since May 7. Martin and Newell said they could not comment on the matter, citing personnel issues.
Finance Director Doug Life said the city has paid more than $91,000 to insurance companies this year for services related to lawsuits and litigation.
"This is like the perfect storm," he said.
"If we are wrong, we are wrong," Martin said. "If not, we dispute it."
Mayor Bob Newell said it's unusual for the police department or the city to be embroiled in one lawsuit, much less three. Newell also noted all the suits are for actions that occurred prior to Martin becoming chief.
Between his stint as police chief and mayor, Newell worked for a commercial insurance carrier as a fraud and large loss investigator. Newell said the insurer will elect to settle even when there is no evidence of wrong-doing.
"They weigh the cost of settling versus fighting," he said.
Newell also said the threat of suits and complaints has led the department to consider the expanded use of Tasers guns. Martin has requested a $15,000 revision to purchase additional Tasers for officers. The goal is for each officer to possess a Taser, which officials feel will make it easier to subdue combative suspects and hopefully reduce the potential for civil or criminal liability.
Parkersburg police reached a settlement agreement with Craig Nelson, over a 2009 lawsuit in which Nelson claimed injuries and accused officers of shooting his dog without provocation.
Parkersburg police Chief Joe Martin said the suit was settled for $2,500 with the city admitting no wrong-doing.
"We settled it for $2,500 and it costs the insurance company $20,000 to defend it," Martin said.
Nelson, who was arrested for public intoxication, alleged he was physically injured by officers who also shot his dog without provocation and later taunted him about the shooting.
According to the criminal complaints in Wood County Magistrate Court, Nelson was charged with public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, failure to render information and two charges of assaulting a police officer.
Tuesday afternoon, the Parkersburg City Council's Finance Committee approved a number of intradepartmental budget revisions, including one for $15,000 within the police department to cover insurance deductibles, the result of lawsuits and complaints.
The city still has three lawsuits pending, as well as claims made to the city's insurance company.
While the police admitted no wrong-doing in the Nelson suit, officials have confirmed Patrolman Nathan Deuley has been placed on paid leave, pending an investigation. Deuley has been on paid leave since May 7. Martin and Newell said they could not comment on the matter, citing personnel issues.
Finance Director Doug Life said the city has paid more than $91,000 to insurance companies this year for services related to lawsuits and litigation.
"This is like the perfect storm," he said.
"If we are wrong, we are wrong," Martin said. "If not, we dispute it."
Mayor Bob Newell said it's unusual for the police department or the city to be embroiled in one lawsuit, much less three. Newell also noted all the suits are for actions that occurred prior to Martin becoming chief.
Between his stint as police chief and mayor, Newell worked for a commercial insurance carrier as a fraud and large loss investigator. Newell said the insurer will elect to settle even when there is no evidence of wrong-doing.
"They weigh the cost of settling versus fighting," he said.
Newell also said the threat of suits and complaints has led the department to consider the expanded use of Tasers guns. Martin has requested a $15,000 revision to purchase additional Tasers for officers. The goal is for each officer to possess a Taser, which officials feel will make it easier to subdue combative suspects and hopefully reduce the potential for civil or criminal liability.
