Ex-inmate sues ex-jailer for alleged attack

Ex-inmate sues ex-jailer for attack
By ZACHARY FITZGERALD
zfitzgerald@daily-review.com
A former inmate in the St. Mary Parish jail has filed a lawsuit against an ex-jailer for allegedly hitting him in the face in January. He also sued the sheriff and jail warden for negligence.
Damarcus McNeal filed a lawsuit Thursday against former Corrections Officer Ricky Mar-tin, Sheriff Mark Hebert and Jail Warden Nick Rogers, accusing Martin of striking him while McNeal was an inmate in the St. Mary Parish jail in Centerville, according to parish clerk of court records.
Martin, 51, of Jeanerette, pleaded guilty July 12 to the charge of simple battery in connection with the incident. Judge Keith Comeaux sentenced him to one year of probation.
On Jan. 14, McNeal was in the custody of the parish jail and followed the orders of all correctional officers, the lawsuit said.
That day, Martin assaulted and battered McNeal in the presence of other deputies, the lawsuit said. Martin slapped McNeal on the face “with a closed fist” while McNeal was hand-cuffed and walking away from Martin, the lawsuit said.
McNeal said in the lawsuit that Martin’s attack on him was unprovoked. McNeal suffered injuries resulting in “severe pain and suffering,” and he’s suing for physical and mental pain and suffering along with medical expenses.
The lawsuit says the incident was the result of the defendants’ negligence.
In a Jan. 15 news re-lease, Hebert said St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office security team at the Law Enforcement Center in Centerville observed a possible battery on an inmate by a correctional officer.
The inmate was immediately attended by medical personnel who found no injuries. Detectives launched an investigation and collected evidence that Martin, the correctional officer, struck an inmate in the face while escorting the offender to a dorm. Martin was immediately fired and subsequently placed under arrest on a simple battery charge.
At the time of Martin’s arrest, Hebert said, “These actions will not be tolerated here at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. We, as law enforcement officers, are entrusted with public safety. Those who break that trust will be held accountable.”
In an unrelated case, McNeal pleaded guilty Thursday to a false imprisonment charge.