The Shadow
Covington, Va. — A $5M lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, alleging police brutality by an Alleghany County Sheriff’s deputy. Plaintiff Joshua L. Barricks claims Deputy James R. Wright, also known as Bobby Wright, used excessive force during an incident on March 30, 2022. The case, filed under Civil Action No. 7:23-cv-00551, details severe injuries sustained by Barricks and calls for a jury trial.
Incident Overview
According to the amended complaint, Barricks was skateboarding to the Covington Farm & Fuel store when Wright, who had an antagonistic history with Barricks, noticed him. Wright followed Barricks to the store, exited his vehicle, and accused him of skateboarding in the middle of the road, a claim disputed by the complaint. Vehicle cam shows Barrick skateboarding down the side of the road, which is not illegal to do so. Despite Barricks’ compliance, Wright allegedly escalated the situation by accusing him of public intoxication without probable cause.
Excessive Force Allegations
The situation intensified when Wright allegedly detained Barricks without reasonable suspicion. The complaint states that after a brief exchange, Wright forcibly apprehended Barricks inside the store, leading to a violent altercation. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts reportedly show Wright slamming Barricks to the floor, pushing his skull into the concrete, and repeatedly punching him in the head, resulting in multiple fractures and a brain bleed.
Legal Claims and Damages
The complaint asserts that Wright’s actions violated Barricks’ Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable seizures. It argues that the force used was disproportionate to the suspected crime of public intoxication, a minor offense under Virginia law. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages of $5 million, punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and other related costs.
Plaintiff’s Injuries and Aftermath
Barricks’ injuries were severe enough to require emergency medical care and subsequent transfer to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Diagnosed injuries included a six-millimeter acute frontal intraparenchymal hemorrhage, multiple displaced facial fractures, and a head laceration. In layman’s terms, Wright’s excessive force left Mr. Barricks with debilitating injuries, including, but not limited to: multiple facial fractures, multiple jaw fractures, and a brain bleed.
Sheriff’s Office Policies and Response
The complaint highlights discrepancies between Wright’s actions and the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Office’s use of force policies. These policies dictate that officers use the minimum force necessary and prohibit deadly force unless the suspect poses a significant threat. The complaint suggests that Wright’s actions were inconsistent with these guidelines and questions whether the Sheriff’s Office will pursue criminal prosecution.
FILES FOR DOWNLOAD
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