ST. LOUIS - Sarah Watkins filed a federal lawsuit on November 13 in the Eastern District Court of Missouri against the City of St. Louis, Police Officer Andrew Metcalf, Police Officer Bryant Morris, Police Officer Darryl Baker, Police Officer Justin Colombo, Police Officer Frederick Thompson and Police Officer Anthony Thompson.
The lawsuit alleges violations of the Fourth, Eighth and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution the liability of City of St. Louis for Fourth and Fourteenth amendment violations.
According to the suit, on Dec. 24, 2016, Watkins was unlawfully assaulted and intimidated and had excessive force used on her by the defendants after being stopped by Officer Metcalf for an alleged traffic violation while driving to the Lambert International Airport. The lawsuit alleges Watkins had pepper spray used on her, was forcefully placed into the front of a police vehicle, repeatedly hit on her leg with a baton and continually hit while on the ground. Watkins says she was then taken to urgent care to be treated for lacerations and bruising.
Watkins seeks judgment against Defendants for compensatory damages and/or nominal damages, for damages for aggravating circumstances against Defendants, and/or nominal damages in an amount fair and reasonable, for attorneys’ fees and the costs of suit. Watkins is represented by Tyson Mutrux of The Mutrux Law Firm, LLC in St. Louis, MO.
Eastern District Court of Missouri case number 4:21-cv-01344