BLUEFIELD — A McDowell County grandfather is suing state troopers, alleging unlawful use of excessive force.
Michael Ferguson, of Welch filed a complaint April 13 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia Bluefield Division against state troopers Ralph W. Justus, Dale Murray, James Coburn and John Doe, alleging they violated the Fourth and 14th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
According to the complaint, on April 17, 2015, during a party at his residence, Ferguson, 72, who was carrying his 2-year-old grandson at the time, was arrested and beaten by the state troopers. The suit says Ferguson sustained injuries and could hardly walk and was diagnosed with fractures to his ribs and finger, and a lung contusion.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants illegally engaged in infliction of violent physical force, Illegal arrest and detention.
Ferguson seeks trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages, attorney fees and court costs and all other injunctive relief. He is represented by attorney John H. Bryan of Union.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia Bluefield Division Case number 1:17-cv-02336