An Admittance of Guilt

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City Responds to Allegations Of Inmate Beating

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By Jacklyn Bernard
First Coast News

JACKSONVILLE, FL -- John Laughon is the only one who can say what exactly happened, but he can't talk.

Laughon is in a persistant vegetative state. He's been like this since February 22, 2005.

According to the police report, that's the day Laughon had an altercation with corrections officers at the jail and was taken to Shands Hospital with what was called "minor injuries."

"There were no outward signs of visible injuries requiring medical attention, but he was transported to Shands because of his mental health condition," Chief Steve Weintraub, of JSO, stated in February 2005.

Laughon's attorney, Sean Cronin, has said the JSO isn't telling the truth and is involved in a coverup because their statements and the facts don't add up.

First Coast News has uncovered doctors' reports which claim Laughon was assaulted.

Doctors said he had multiple broken ribs, he had no pulse and blood had filled his chest cavity.

Now, there is a new document uncovered by First Coast News. The city's response to the lawsuit and the beating allegations.

"This public statement states maybe this really did occur while in the hands of the JSO. It's inconsistent because JSO has repeatedly said he was not hurt, saying well maybe he was hurt by us," says Cronin.

According to the city's response, "The acts alleged... were committed by an officer or employee of the JSO and/or the City... and the JSO and/or the City are immune from liability."

"This is a way for the city trying to escape liability of individual officers actions," says Cronin.

Howard Maltz, attorney for the city, says the statement is not admitting guilt, but only invoking the amount of money that Laughon could receive.

Maltz says the caps are $100,000 per person and $200,000 per claim.
Created: 8/22/2006 4:53:20 PM Updated: 8/22/2006 7:06:55 PM Edited by Jackelyn Barnard, Reporter
© 2006 First Coast News. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, rewritten, or redistributed.


NOTE: An admittance of guilt of sorts. "The acts alleged... were committed by an officer or employee of the JSO and/or the City... and the JSO and/or the City are immune from liability." So much for the televised account that there were "no visable signs of injury" and "minor" injuries and transported for a psych evaluation. LIARS! ALL OF THEM ARE LIARS! There is a major cover up here!

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