Jury awards at least $750,000 to former soldier

[unhappycamper]

Jury awards at least $750,000 to former soldier
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Oct 28, 2009 9:04:35 EDT

GREENSBORO, N.C. — A former Army sergeant wounded during a military training exercise was awarded at least $750,000 in his lawsuit against the Moore County Sheriff’s Office and the former deputy who shot him.

The Fayetteville Observer reported that the federal jury in Greensboro awarded the money to former Army Sgt. Stephen Phelps, who was injured in the February 2002 shooting that killed another soldier. He had sued the sheriff’s office and former Deputy Randall Butler.

“I was happy that the truth finally came out,” Phelps said after the verdict was read Tuesday night.

The jury awarded $650,000 in compensatory damages and $100,000 or $200,000 in punitive damages Tuesday night. Phelps’ lawyer, Carlos Mahoney, had sought $1.2 million.

Moore County Sheriff Lane Carter said neither he nor Butler would comment. Jim Morgan, who represented Butler and the sheriff’s office, declined to comment on whether they would appeal the verdict.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/10/ap_soldier_lawsuit_102809/