NEW CUMBERLAND – A Weirton man alleges police officer used excessive force during a 2016 incident.
Raymond Smith filed a complaint July 19 in Hancock Circuit Court against Eric Popish and the City of Weirton alleging negligence and excessive force.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Jan. 10, 2016, Weirton Police Department officer Popish arrived at plaintiff's house regarding a dog complaint. The suit states that the plaintiff informed Popish that the dog was not his, but Popish "tackled him to the ground, beat him, told him to stop resisting, handcuffed him, arrested him on several false charges and took him into custody." He alleges that while he was at the Weirton Police Department, the defendant "slammed him to the floor and tazed him four times."
The suit states the plaintiff's criminal charge was later dismissed.
The plaintiff seeks general, punitive and compensatory damages and prejudgment interest. He is represented by Lawrence L. Manypenny in New Cumberland. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge David J. Sims.
Hancock Circuit Court case number 17-C-98
