Suit alleges HPD brutality

 

A Harris County man brought a lawsuit against a municipality for alleged use of excessive force in 2013.

Nicolas Watson, 36, filed suit against the city of Houston and John Doe officers No. 1 and No. 2 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas May 14, claiming assault and battery in August 2013.

The suit states that when Watson arrived home from work on Aug. 6, 2013, two Houston police officers accosted and assaulted him. According to the complaint, their attack was so severe that Watson lost consciousness.

Allegedly, the officers handcuffed the plaintiff, searched his wallet, transported him to a nearby residence that had been recently burglarized, and returned him home. He sought medical treatment for damages including eye trauma and hemorrhage, concussion and headaches, back, chest and bodily injuries, and post-traumatic stress, the suit states.

Watson states that he reported the incident without resolution and has been unable to work since the alleged attack. Alleging anguish, fear, anxiety, memory loss and depression and citing violation of the 4th and 14th Amendments, Watson maintains that the city of Houston has a custom of tolerating excessive force among its police officers.

Court documents mention earlier instances of alleged police brutality.

The plaintiff cites unreasonable search and seizure, false arrest, wrongful detention, and supervisory liability.

The plaintiff seeks punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney’s fees, expenses and costs.

He is represented by the Law Office of Randall L. Kallinen; and Jeralynn Manor of the Manor Law Firm, both in Houston.

Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case 4:15-cv-01300