Williams V. Fort Wayne City Of Et Al

Case Background

On February 23, 2022, Lucas Williams filed a civil rights lawsuit alleging false arrest and use of excessive force. Williams went to downtown Fort Wayne to witness the chaotic events surrounding the Black Lives Matter protests at Friemann Square. However, he recognized that the situation was becoming unruly and turned back before reaching the square. Despite this, a Fort Wayne police officer mistakenly identified him as a violent protester. As a result, Williams, an innocent bystander, was roughly arrested without any probable cause.

The case was filed in the United States District Court, Indiana Northern, and Chief Judge Holly A Brady presided over the case. [Case number: 1:22cv61]

Cause

On the evening of May 30, 2020, Lucas Williams, then 19, traveled to Fort Wayne with three friends. They wanted to witness the unfolding events of the George Floyd and BLM protests, which had turned chaotic in many areas, including Fort Wayne.

Protesters had gathered at Friemann Square, and Williams, who held no political motivations, simply wanted to observe. As he neared the square, he realized the atmosphere was escalating into chaos, with tear gas visible in the air. Concerned about the situation, Williams and his friends decided to leave before reaching the square.

At that moment, Officer Boyce Ballinger was managing the scene. He had received a description of a rioter whom the police were pursuing. Mistaking Williams for this individual, Ballinger believed he had found the suspect. As Williams walked away, Ballinger allegedly tackled him violently, slamming him onto the pavement.

Consequently, Williams faced charges of Resisting Arrest, Disorderly Conduct, and Refusing an Order to Leave. He spent forty-four hours in lock-up before the charges were ultimately dropped. The experience left Williams shaken but served as a reminder of the volatile climate during that period.

Damages

The incident caused Williams to suffer a concussion, and he continued to experience mental flashbacks. These ongoing challenges underscored the impact of the arrest on his life. If he won at trial, he sought compensatory damages.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal Representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Lucas Williams
    • Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Dennis R Brown | Dennis H Geisleman
    • Experts for Plaintiff(s): Brian Landens
  • Defendant(s): Officer Boyce Ballinger | Fort Wayne City of
    • Counsel for Defendant(s): Adam Matthew Henry | Theodore T Storer
    • Experts for Defendant(s): Joshua Lego

Claims

In this lawsuit, Williams sued the police, claiming he had been falsely arrested. The core of his case centered on Ballinger’s unreasonable and blatant misidentification of him as a fleeing rioter. Williams filed separate counts for false arrest under federal and state law.

Additionally, Williams pursued a count of excessive force against Ballinger due to the rough nature of his arrest.

Defense

Ballinger claimed he acted reasonably in a dangerous and chaotic situation. He believed Williams was fleeing, and when Williams did not stop after being ordered, Ballinger applied what he considered reasonable force to make the arrest. Williams disputed this account. He remembered being pressed against the pavement while Ballinger said, echoing the George Floyd case, “Can you effing breathe now?”

Additionally, the police raised a qualified immunity defense, which included questions about what a reasonable officer would have done in that situation. Ballinger ultimately left the police force in 2021. He resigned due to a domestic violence conviction.

Expert Testimony

To support his claims, Williams consulted a police practices expert, Brian Landens, from Wisconsin Dells, WI. The defense enlisted Joshua Lego as a police practices expert.

Jury Verdict

The trial lasted three days in Fort Wayne. On July 25, 2024, the jury ruled in favor of Williams on all three counts: state false arrest, federal false arrest, and excessive force. He received $20,000 in damages for each false arrest count and an additional $40,000 for excessive force, totaling $80,000.

Additionally, the jury faced two “special” interrogatories related to qualified immunity. They were asked, (1) Did Ballinger give Williams a specific order to stop? and (2) If he did, would a reasonable officer believe Williams was fleeing? The jury answered “no” to both questions.

As a result, the court entered a consistent judgment for Williams, awarding him $80,000.

Court Documents:

Available upon request