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January 26th, 2011 @ 11:57AM (13 years ago)

Sixth person sues former Louisville detective and police chief over arrests

By Jason Riley • jriley@courier-journal.com • January 25, 2011

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Twitter FarkIt Type Size A A A A sixth person has joined a lawsuit against former Louisville Metro Police Detective Crystal Marlowe and Chief Robert White, alleging the detective wrongfully arrested and jailed him for robbery three years ago.

Vaughn Carter alleges he was charged Feb. 5, 2008 with a robbery he did not commit, was in jail for three days and had to spend time and money expunging his record after the charges were eventually dismissed.

On Monday, Circuit Court Judge Audra Eckerle allowed Carter to join in the suit, which alleges, in part, that Marlowe lied in court and coerced false identifications from witnesses, leading to their wrongful arrests.

Carter was a UofL student when he was accused of robbing a West Hill Street apartment before dawn on Dec. 22, 2007, assaulting the homeowner and stealing jewelry and a flat-screen television.

Carter's case was dismissed in Jefferson District Court on Feb. 25, 2008, after Marlowe twice failed to appear for hearings - the second time after she had been served with a subpoena.

In an interview with the newspaper last year, Carter said he lost his job at a local office-supply store as a result of the arrest.

Earlier this month, White fired Marlowe after concluding that her "blatant disregard" for rules had discredited the department and led to people being charged with crimes they didn't commit. She has filed an appeal with the Police Merit Board.

Claims made in filing a lawsuit present only one side of the case.

Marlowe has asked the newspaper not to contact her.

Alicia Smiley, a police spokeswoman, said the department could not comment on pending litigation.

The other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which is seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as a trial by jury, are Tiffany Washington, Rodshaud White, Walter Duncan, Robert Mitchem, and George Mozee.

Reporter Jason Riley can be reached at (502) 584-2197.