Posted Feb 12, 2019
Share this article:
In late January, after an eight-day jury trial in the U.S District Court for the District of Arizona, Wieneke Law Group partners Kathleen Wieneke and Christina Retts obtained a defense verdict on behalf of their police officer clients.
The Section 1983 excessive force case was brought by the estate of a 31-year-old man who died after an altercation with the police officers. Citizens called 911 for the man, believing him to be in need of medical care. The man fought with police, was tased, and suffered a cardiac arrest on site before being transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. Toxicological results revealed the presence of a large amount of methamphetamine in his system, as well as a small amount of alcohol. Plaintiff sued four officers, and WLG was able to get one of the officers dismissed before the case went to the jury.
The jury deliberated for one hour and 15 minutes before delivering a defense verdict against all police officers, absolving them of all liability.
Kathleen Wieneke has achieved an AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell and is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers (IATL). She has spent over 30 years defending excessive force claims and litigating road design cases, amassing extensive experience and expertise.
Christina Retts has extensive experience defending law enforcement personnel against a broad range of civil claims, including cases involving excessive use of force, officer-involved shootings, TASER, less-lethal weapons, K-9 use, positional and restraint asphyxia, and wrongful arrest. Tina is also experienced with defending fire and corrections medical personnel against complex medical negligence claims.
About Wieneke Law Group:
Wieneke Law Group attorneys have represented Arizona governmental entities, their employees, school districts, elected officials, corrections personnel, and federal employees in a variety of matters ranging from civil rights claims involving allegations of malfeasance in office, police misconduct, failure to provide medical care, Bivens, and employment matters. Our vast experience allows us to provide high quality, cost-effective legal services to our clients.
