Posted on 11/23/2001 5:22:57 AM PST by Wolfie
SARASOTA WOMAN FRAMED BY CORRUPT DEPUTIES FILES FEDERAL LAWSUIT
TAMPA - A Sarasota woman is seeking up to $3 million in damages from five Manatee County sheriff's deputies who planted drugs in her home.
Sarah Louise Smith filed the lawsuit late Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Tampa.
Smith lost custody of her baby daughter for 18 months after she was convicted in 1997 on drug charges during a trial in which the deputies lied to jurors.
All five deputies were sentenced to prison for their role in the scheme, which involved planting drugs on suspects, stealing money from people under arrest and lying. The men were part of an elite drug- fighting group called the Delta Task Force and prosecutors said their scheme lasted from 1995 to 1999.
Smith is suing former deputies Christopher Wilson, Lance Carpenter, Thomas Wooten, Paul Maass and Wayne Wyckoff.
During the sentencing hearings for the officers, Smith testified the false charges led her family and friends to doubt her innocence.
Last year, Smith settled a claim with the sheriff's department for $275,000, said her attorney, Greg Zitani.
elbucko, ever hear of sarcasm. If you think this story reveals some pretty blatant corruption, just wait 'til I post an update on my case late this weekend. This story is nothing in comparison.
Hear, Hear. I agree completely. Police should be held to a HIGHER standard than regular citizens by virtue of the enormous power they posess. I think that they should automatically DOUBLE the sentences of any police officer convicted of a crime. Just like they double the sentences of anyone convicted of committing a crime against a police officer.
Sadly, though instead they do the opposite. Many people go out of their way to make excuses for rogue police officers (including many people on this forum). Police have powerful unions that keep these bad guys in uniform long after any other person in any other job would have been dismissed.
Can someone tell me this? Why do they randomly drugtest McDonald's employees who are flipping burgers, but the Police officers unions have been able to prevent random drug testing of police officers (who carry guns)?
And people wonder when I chuckle, aww heck, make that a full-fledged guffaw, at the thought of dead cops.
I have said that myself. I agree completely. Cops who commit a felony should get double the sentence.
These cops may lose huge amounts of money, their jobs, their pensions, maybe even do jail time.
Had they shot her before planting the drugs, they'd be safe.
I wonder just who all is looking at this case and making quiet notes to themselves for future reference...
Too expensive. Better to give them six months in a really nasty prison but make sure all the inmates not only know who they are, but are also informed that the prison authorities will not bat an eye if other prisoners happen to do anything to them.
I'm glad I live on the other side of the Skyway Bridge.
I think people assume because a lot of cops are good that it means that it's VERY rare for bad cops to exist.
Psychologically speaking, I think there's a thin line that separates many cops from criminals. Many are in the job for the rush, not to really protect and serve. Another problem is the way they view civilians. Any time we question or resist their authority, or are viewed as "suspects," they change the rules on us.
Except for hostage situations, I don't see the need for no-knock raids at all. It seems that preparing people for a raid, guilty or not, would reduce casualties and accidental shootings. Instead, cops, DEA, and BATF are allowed to murder civilians, pets and destroy property all in the name of the WoD.
Sometimes in order to save drugs we've got to sacrifice a few people.
AB
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