Throwback Case Thursday: Police Brutality

On August 29, 2012, at about 11:45 p.m., several Columbus police officers, arrested Joseph Hines, a black man, for littering and underage drinking. Hines was a 20-year-old student at the time and officers testified he had been resisting arrest. The officers used force in arresting the plaintiff, causing injuries, including post-concussive syndrome with contusions on his face, chemosis of his eyes from mace, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

DAG filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against the officers and the Columbus Police Department for using excessive force and civil rights claims. It was decided after a jury trial, that the jurors found the officer used excessive force and awarded Mr. Hines damages.