$150,000 Settlement for Man Beaten by West Virginia State Police
For the fourth time in his employment with the West Virginia State Police, Ralph Justus was named as a defendant in a case alleging police brutality. The state agreed to settle out of court for $150,000, making it a total of $415,000 that the state has paid on account of Justus, who is no longer employed with the department.
In this instance, the aptly-named Jamie Justice alleged that Justus and his partner Jarod Tupper beat him unconscious in the Welch Detachment of the West Virginia State Police after he was pulled over for a traffic stop in September 2016.
Justice admitted to having narcotics on him, and the troopers responded by handcuffing him, slamming his head against the car, kneeling, kicking, punching, and stomping him, and then choking him into unconsciousness.
His ex-wife and her cousin called the Detachment asking for him and were told by an unnamed woman, “If he isn’t here, they are probably out beating the crap out of him,” according to the suit.
Justice’s suit also named supervisors Chris Kane and Robert Danielle for showing deliberate indifference and tacit authorization.
Justus was recently accused of sexual assault on the job. He was placed on administrative leave, pending investigation of the case in March 2017, and although he had not been served in that case, he no longer works for the State Police.
The state says the settlement was not an admission of guilt. Justice’s attorney, Russell Williams, said, “I am pleased my client received justice and these Defendants were held accountable for their actions.”
Source: wvgazette.com
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