Albemarle County has settled Gerry Mitchell’s lawsuit against them, the Progress reports. He filed suit two years ago after a 2007 incident in which he was struck by a county police officer’s patrol vehicle while crossing the street in his wheelchair, leaving him hospitalized and with permanent injuries. The value of the settlement is not public. Officer Gregory Davis, who was driving the cruiser, remains on the police force.
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Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Could someone please explain to me the logic of having the details of a legal settlement being held confidential? I understand from the perspective of the plaintiff and defendant, but it seems to me that the public in general would be better served by knowing what actually was agreed upon in these settlements.
usually it gets you more money and no trial because governments don’t like to admit fault. Governments never want to go to court when they have to pay for a trial, lawyers and most likely lose. It’s not good press either so if you want the check and no trial you have to agree not to talk about the settlement.
Pete, I think the logic is that because it didn’t go to court and become part of the public record, it becomes a private matter. It may be part of the settlement is that Mr. Mitchell agrees not to discuss the matter publicly. That certainly is a good thing for the police department and would help them come to the decision to settle. It may be that Mr. Mitchell believes it’s nobody’s business how much he received.
You may be right that the public would be better served by knowing, but if a matter doesn’t go to court, how does it become part of the public record? Communication between the PD and their attorney’s could be shielded by the attorney-client privilege, I imagine, so therefore not FOIAable.
We may never know, but you can guess that Mr. Mitchell got a healthy settlement. He had a strong case and the PD would NEVER want to go to court over this. The media attention would have been intense and could have been national.
It would seem like the county police are answerable to the citizens of the county, and their settlement would be a matter of public record. It would show up in their public budget.
Wouldn’t this be an insurance company pay-out, or is the county self-insured?
Public money, public matter. Why can’t someone FOIA this?
@Jack.
Feel free.