Stone County Deputies Sue Four People, Claiming Defamation of Character

By: Monte Schisler, News Director
Posted: Thursday, May 17, 2012

Two Stone County sheriff’s deputies are suing four people, including an alderwoman from Crane and her attorney, claiming defamation of character, after they were publicly accused of police brutality in a story published in the Springfield News-Leader.

Deputies Taylor Jenkins and Brandon Flack arrested Jessica White and two members of her family following a traffic stop in front of their house May 5th involving a family friend. The three are charged with assault and resisting arrest.

Springfield television station KY3 reports the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Greene County Circuit Court. The deputies are seeking unspecified damages.

The Stone County sheriff told the television station he reviewed a videotape of the arrest that was reportedly posted on You-Tube by White’s attorney, Dale Wiley of Crane, and determined the deputies acted by the book.

The deputies deny they used excessive force or arrested anyone without probable cause. They remain on the job.

Wiley says his clients committed no crime, and are innocent of all charges.

A hearing date for the lawsuit has not been scheduled according to online court records obtained by HometownDailyNews.com

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Springfield television station KY3 reports the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Greene County Circuit Court. The deputies are seeking unspecified damages.

A hearing date for the lawsuit has not been scheduled according to online court records obtained by HometownDailyNews.com

Comments (19) - comment on this story

Devon - 05/17/2012 6:09:24 AM

Kudo's to the Deputies.

Fieldcrest - 05/17/2012 6:20:52 AM

I hope people get the chance to view .the video before judging anyone.

Oh, Give Me a Break 65656 - 05/17/2012 7:11:35 AM

This is nothing new for the county sheriff's department. If you go back since the current sheriff has been in office, you'll see it's an ongoing thing to sue people or get sued and then sue them back for sueing you. I'd sure like to know how much we, as taxpayers have paid in attorney costs over the 10-12 years he's been in office. Inquiring minds want to know, so how about some of the news media finding out?.I'd also like to know how much has been paid to that one attorney who was on tv last night. I understand that he carries a deputy badge, along with being the attorney for all of them. Is this not a conflict of interest? Just wondering, but not too loudly because I don't want to get tazed in the groin, beat, thrown in jail and then get served with a law suit for excercizing my rights. God help us all in Stone County.

just me - 05/17/2012 7:36:32 AM

even if people see the video posted on you tube, I hope they are smart enough to see it has been edited and doesnt show everthing from start to finish. It would be interesting to see what took place prior to when the video started and unedited, there is probably a reason they edited it

jmurphy - 05/17/2012 7:43:03 AM

Watch the video. Interesting that the police dog attacks a deputy at one point.

Fieldcrest... - 05/17/2012 7:50:50 AM

I did view the video. I saw people that should have done what they were told. I saw a lady hit an officer in the back. I saw a lady kick an officer and then continue to verbally attack him instead of shutting her mouth. Did I miss anything? Makes you wonder why when the Sheriff Department shows up, the first thing they think of is to video the process.

barking up the wrong tree - 05/17/2012 8:29:15 AM

I agree about the sheriff's department not showing up. Had they not, none of this would have happened.

Andy Griffith 65737 - 05/17/2012 8:34:04 AM

Perhaps the sheriff could take a lesson from Andy Griffith if he is going to continue to hire hot-heads: only give them one bullet and have each one of them to put it in their pocket....kind of like counting to 10 before you lose your temper kind of thing.

Pretty Boy Floyd - 05/17/2012 9:05:24 AM

Johnny law seems a little worried I'd say, After you screw up over and over again a thinking you are above the law it bites you in the butt, These 2 deputy sheriffs must have got their commission out of a box of cheerios, I am like a lot of other folks I sure don't want them on my place a raiseing a lot of hell.

Yo Mama - 05/17/2012 1:04:32 PM

True Sheriff Hill, The deputies acted by the book written by Mr. Crites

concerned - 05/17/2012 2:26:17 PM

Sure glad the girls and old guy didn't beat the deputies up too bad. Good thing they had cuffs, tasers, and guns to protect themselves.

Concerned Stone County citizen - 05/17/2012 3:29:08 PM

I will withhold my complete judgement for now, but from what I can see on this video, it definitely looks like too much force was used. I remember in the last 12 years, there has definitely been some very questionable incidents involving Stone County deputies and their behavior. There was the Jim Teague incident which, because of many witnesses, he was able to beat them in a court of law. Then there was the tragic death of Charles Kuyper in his own home. Unfortunately for him, there was no camera to capture the details, but those who know about this case know that it was not handled properly. If they would have handled it differently this young man would still be here today. The deputies involved in this shooting could not even get their own statements to agree. We all know that there are some good deputies, and then there are some who just want to show their authority with their gun and badge. It will be interesting to see what happens in this case. Don't hold your breath for a fair and impartial investigation.

fieldcrest..... - 05/17/2012 6:46:32 PM

Yes, Fieldcrest replier, you obviously missed something

It just all goes down HILL from here - 05/17/2012 8:18:57 PM

Man, our sheriff and these fellows with the blazing tasers just kill me. I cannot wait until this all unfolds. Hey, I also want to know how much money has been blown on law suits and attorney fees. I'd like to know how much we've paid Mr. Crites in the last say 10-11 years. Can someone plese let us know? How many law suits have been filed against the present sheriff and/or his deputies? And how many have they filed? Have we paid for all of this out of taxpayer dollars? Will someone expand on that meal thing reported a few weeks ago? What about this account the sherif has that he can do what he wants to with? Can that be audited? I certainly want to know where everyone of our tax-dollars have gone. How many good deputies have we lost because of drama that goes on in that office and then how much have we paid to contiunally train new deputies? Call me insensitive about what all is going on. I don't know about anyone else, but I really want to know where all the money goes. Anyone else care? I do care about people getting the crap beat out of them, but until some of the so-called legislative people who are supposed to be representing us get a pair of ball-bearings, I don't imagine anything will get done about that, unless of course it meets national news, then they might do something so that they can get their names in the paper or on tv. I am so sick of all our wishy-washy, set-ion-the fence representatives, that I could puke. I'd like to see someone with an attitude to do what they are supposed to do and actually represent us. I am so sick of those people who get in office and all they care about is if they will get re-elected so they don't do anything but set on the fence. Well how abou this challenge to our representatives.....open your eyes and then get a pair. We have three representatives in Stone County and you all know what an embarrassement this department has been for some time now. Step up to the plate and actually do something to represent us. We aren't talking about this latest mess, but in fact the last 10-11 year mess. Talk to the people you represent and get some kind of investigation going. Don't leave it up to us to do your work. If you aren't working for us, then what good are you to us? You think that because you ride the fence and don't cause trouble that people will vote for you. Not happening this next go-around. We the people will vote for someone who will go to bat for us and when we call and talk to you, will not hem-haw around in fear, but yet decide that if it was important enough for a great many of us to contact you, then it is high time you get out of your office and investigate and let it be known what you are doing. I would far rather have someone representing me that I knew was there to do just that even if he had to make enemies to get a job done...at least you would build respect and people would know you cared enough to fight for us and our rights. News media: how about you doing some investigative work yourselves and how about holding our representatives accountable in the public eye?

Blah - 05/17/2012 10:40:00 PM

No surprise. The Stone County Sheriff's Office always sues the victims of their wrongdoings. Having video proof is worthless. They will always lie, blackmail and bully their way out of trouble.

tell me it isn't so 65737 - 05/18/2012 8:36:46 AM

I wrote a comment last night and although frustrated at what has been going on for some time, it called a few people out to stand up to the plate, including the news media. I don't believe it called any names but it was definitely a call for help for our public. Evidently, it hit a nerve with whoever checks these, so this one will probably not make the comment list either.

Fieldcrest - 05/18/2012 9:15:58 AM

not to mention a dog to sic on the old guy and lady

Walk in Their SHOES! - 05/18/2012 9:33:57 AM

Why don't some of you that are criticizing the deputies, take a walk in their shoes for a night? Most sheriffs departments have a ride along program. You get to ride along with a deputy to see the crap they put up with on a daily basis. Just sayin. Opens your eyes real quick.

Yo Mama - 05/18/2012 9:11:45 PM

Walk in their shoes: Sure all Law enforcement is a hard job, This is no excuse to let improperly trained people carry a deadly weapon, Tazer Ect if they are hot heads or adrenalin junkies, 11 years ago Richard Hill defended a deputy that commited a cold blooded murder, This under trained deputy shouldn't have entered the persons house when the property owner told him everything was undercontrol and they could leave.