HOUSTON — A Harris County registered nurse is suing Baytown law enforcement, alleging alleged malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Betty Shaw of Baytown filed a lawsuit Sept. 23 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against police officer Luzette Watkins, the city of Baytown, the Baytown Police Department and Baytown Police Chief C. Keith Dougherty, alleging violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
According to the complaint, Shaw was wrongfully charged with forgery, which caused an issuance to her of an arrest warrant and required her to bond herself out. The suit says the defendants' wrongful conduct caused her harm to her reputation, emotional distress, cost of defense, lost wages and other specific pecuniary losses.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants did not have probable cause to initiate the prosecution and failed to institute the proper procedures to train and supervise their officers.
Shaw seeks trial by jury, monetary relief of more than $1 million, pre- and post-judgment interest, court costs and all other available relief. She is represented by attorney Kevin Wright of Houston.
Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas Case number 4:16-cv-02868