Alleged victims of police beating sue

John DeSantis
Senior Staff Writer

Published: Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:27 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:27 a.m.
THIBODAUX — Two men who say they were beaten and mistreated by Thibodaux Police last year have filed suit against the department.


Attorneys for the men, Raymond DeVincent and David Usey, filed papers in Lafourche Parish District Court alleging violations of civil rights and seeking damage for physical and emotional injury.

DeVincent, 42, who now works at a fast food restaurant, alleged that on Aug. 4, 2009, a police officer, identified in court papers and interviews as Ben Comeaux, stopped him for following another car too closely. Once stopped, the officer hit him as many as 30 times in the legs with a nightstick when he refused to put his hands behind his back, court papers allege.

The two men were headed for a church in Kraemer to repair a sign.

Usey, 62, who is a plumber, was arrested after protesting DeVincent’s alleged mistreatment.


http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20100804/articles/100809737?p=1&tc=pg