5 day forecast
City of Pittsburgh ready to settle federal lawsuit over drug stop
Share with others:
The City of Pittsburgh is preparing to pay $10,000 to settle a federal lawsuit brought by an Elliott man who claimed police repeatedly struck him during a November 2006 traffic stop while trying to dislodge drugs from his mouth or another part of his body.
Donald Schutz filed the suit against the city and police officers David Honick and James Moss.
Legislation authorizing the settlement was introduced today in city council.
According to the suit, the officers stopped Mr. Schutz on Crucible Street in Crafton Heights or Elliott at about 8:15 p.m. Nov. 3, 2006. He said the officers then performed a tactic that involves striking and grabbing a suspect to dislodge hidden drugs.
But, the suit said, Mr. Schutz had no drugs. He claimed the mistreatment caused him physical and emotional injuries.
Officer Honick is still with the police bureau; Officer Moss is not, bureau spokeswoman Diane Richard said.
First Published September 18, 2012 11:29 am
