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Hall Co. sued over former jailer's actions

By Ken Stanford Contributing Editor
Posted 10:25AM on Wednesday 31st December 2014 ( 9 years ago )
GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville man is suing Hall County over an incident in which he was struck by a county jailer who was subsequently fired and indicted in the case.<br /> <br /> Andronico Pedraza, Jr., says in the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Gainesville, that he was arrested Dec. 20, 2012, for disorderly conduct.<br /> <br /> "While handcuffed at the Hall County Jail," the suit says, "Hall County Sheriff's Department Deputy David Pirkle struck (Pedraza) in the back of the head, causing injury."<br /> <br /> Pirkle was fired in early January 2013 and a few days later was arrested following an investigation of the incident and charged with simple battery and violation of oath of office. (See earlier story. Link below.) Pirkle was indicted by a Hall County Grand Jury a few weeks later. He pleaded guilty to simple battery in September 2013, according to the suit.<br /> <br /> "Pirkle's use of force on plaintiff was not for the purpose of securing an arrest," the suit says. "Rather, Pirkle's assault on (Pedraza) was for the purpose of exacting punishment and pain on (him)," subjecting him to "excessive force and cruel and unusual punishment."<br /> <br /> Pedraza says as a result of the incident he "incurred and will reasonably and necessarily incur medical, hospital, nursing, medication and miscellaneous expenses" and that those expenses already total about $10,000. The suit says Pedraza <br /> suffered "severe bodily harm, great mental anguish and distress, and physical pain," which have impacted his routine daily activities. <br /> <br /> He is asking for a jury trial and unspecified damages.<br /> <br /> A spokeswoman for the county said the county would have no comment on the suit.<br /> <br /> "...the County does not comment on active litigation," said Katie Crumley.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />
Pirkle

http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/12/283507

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