CIVIL FILINGS: Berkeley County

June 16
John Sherman Jr. vs. City of Martinsburg; Mark S. Baldwin, city manager; and Kevin Miller, chief of the Martinsburg City Police Department
PA - Barry Beck; J - Groh
* The plaintiff is a Martinsburg police officer who was dismissed from employment following an off-duty incident on Aug. 6, 2009, when he "struck a man who he believed was engaging in inappropriate communications with his wife." Sherman later entered a plea of no contest to misdemeanor battery and was fined. He claims that a hearing board set up to hear his case against his termination does not meet state code because it does not have an officer of his same rank. He is seeking a preliminary injunction against the defendants prohibiting them proceeding with the hearing board pending a final decision on his claim.
Case number: 10-C-476

June 14
Brower, Hughes LLC vs. Western Express Inc.
PA - Christopher Luttrell; J - Groh
* The plaintiff claims the defendant breached a lease contract from April 24, 2007, after causing damage to the plaintiff's property. The problems included five damaged garage doors, broken windows, debris, structural damage from a leak and other issues. The plaintiff is seeking at least $124,8700 plus other relief.
Case number: 10-C-479

June 17
Deborah E. Martin vs. Christopher A. Kaiser and Sentry Insurance Inc.
PA - Pro se; J - Groh
* The plaintiff claims she was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by Kaiser on June 18, 2008, after the defendant was negligent and caused an accident. She has suffered severe and permanent injuries as well as medical expenses and stress, and she is seeking at least $50,000 plus other relief.
Case number: 10-C-485