Federal Lawsuit Filed In Police Choking Incident

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A police officer accused of choking a Mount Juliet man faces $1 million federal lawsuit.

During a traffic stop in April, Cpl. Will Cosby questioned 26-year-old James Anders, Jr. He thought Anders hid marijuana in his mouth and tried to stop him from swallowing the narcotic.

The traffic stop was recorded by a camera inside Cosby's squad car.

Anders collapsed unconscious.

On Monday, his attorney filed a $1.5. million lawsuit accusing Cosby, assisting officer James Crosslin and the city of Mount Juliet of violating his constitutional rights.

"He was being choked to death. That's what he felt at that time," said Ander's attorney Gary Vandever.

He said it shouldn't have happened. He filed the lawsuit in federal court alleging the officers' treatment was "unwarranted, cruel, abusive, unjustifiable and excessive and possibly fatal.

Vandever believes said the in-car video shown be shown to law enforcement trainees as an example of how not conduct themselves during traffic stops.

The lawsuit alleges assault and battery on behalf of the two officers.

It also accuses the city of negligence for hiring of Cosby, who had prior legal troubles as an officer in Lebanon.

Cosby remains on the job serving desk duty while the matter is investigated by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

The Wilson County district attorney asked the TBI to investigate whether Crosby or Crosslin violated any laws.

Officials said the case will likely go to a grand jury in August.

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Source: WTVF
Copyright: 2008 WorldNow and WTVF
Contact: NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Home
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