Snyders sue Roseland over David's 2007 arrest

By MARTI GOODLAD HELINE, Tribune Staff Writer

Tools

David Snyder was arrested after being ejected from a Roseland Town Council meeting in September 2007. (WSBT file photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Oct 20, 2008 at 2:29 PM EST

Story Updated: Oct 20, 2008 at 2:29 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — As expected, former Roseland Town Council members David and Dorothy Snyder have filed another lawsuit against the town they formerly governed.

This lawsuit seeks damages from former town Marshal Jack Tiller and from the town for David Snyder’s arrest after he was ejected from a September 2007 council meeting. There was a physical altercation between the two men during the incident.

The suit, filed in federal court, alleges Tiller used excessive force and committed battery on Snyder causing injuries.

The case also maintains Sndyer’s constitutional rights were violated .

After the arrest, Snyder said at the time he underwent hospital treatment for a concussion, facial bruises and other injuries he maintained were inflicted by Tiller. Snyder then spent the night in jail.

No charges were filed against anyone after a grand jury review of the matter.

The suit requests damages to compensate Snyder for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and attorney fees. There is also a request by Dorothy Snyder for compensation for loss of her husband’s services.

The Snyders also seek punitive damage to deter similar actions.

Videos from local television stations WNDU and WSBT are expected to be critical evidence in the case. The videos received heavy viewing on the Internet after the incident.

"We were anticipating this suit," town attorney Michael Lipsky said Monday.

The Snyders and Merrillville, Ind., attorney Edward Hearn filed a notice of tort claim with the town last December as the first step toward litigation.

Lipsky said he will recommend the Town Council turn the matter over to the town’s insurance company, as it did with the damage suit Dorothy Snyder filed earlier this month stemming from her April 2007 arrest at a council meeting.

"It makes sense to have the same lawyers handing both cases," Lipsky said.

The Snyders’ lawyer for the suit from Dorothy’s arrest is Anna Hearn, wife of Edward Hearn. The Hearns practice at separate firms.

Staff writer Marti Goodlad Heline:
mheline@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6327

More Good Stuff

WSBT Weather

Current Temp 34.8

More Weather

WSBT Weather

More Weather

On Demand

iPhone
Get the WSBT News and Irish Sports Report apps for your iPhone! Read more »
On DVD
Order a DVD of a WSBT news story! Read more »
Twitter
Follow us on Twitter! Read more »
Facebook
Connect with us on Facebook! Read more »
WSBT E-News
Daily StormTracker e-mails right to your Inbox! Read more »
Video On Demand
Miss a story on WSBT News? Watch it here! Read more »
CBS Shows
Watch CBS shows and news online, free! Read more »
WSBT Alert
Breaking News & Weather right to your cell phone! Read more »
Mobile
WSBT News on the go for your cell phone or PDA. Read more »
RSS Feeds
Get news and updates as soon as they're published. Read more »

Stock Quotes

YouNews

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.