The lawyer’s raid claimed it was retaliation for a successful defense; the city considers the allegations to be unfounded

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The lawyer’s raid claimed it was retaliation for a successful defense; the city considers the allegations to be unfounded

By Debra Cassens Weiss

July 28, 2021, 9:36 a.m. CDT

Image from Shutterstock.

The city of Roanoke, Va., Is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a lawyer who claims police raided his home in retaliation for successfully defending his stepson accused of murder.

The motion to dismiss, filed July 21 in federal court in Roanoke, said the lawsuit filed by lawyer Cathy Reynolds contained multiple baseless allegations regarding the September 2019 raid, reports the Roanoke Times.

Police said they obtained a warrant for the raid based on information from a confidential informant who said a young murder suspect in another case was seen at the house.

In his April 19 trial, Reynolds said the search warrant was based on fabricated or uncorroborated information.

The youth was then arrested in another location. Publications that have previously covered Reynolds’ trial are The Roanoke Times, The Washington Post and Reason.

A SWAT team from the City of Roanoke Police Department arrived at Reynolds’ home in an armored vehicle and used it to tear off the screen door of the home, even though Reynolds had offered to let them in, according to the prosecution. The operation ripped the vinyl siding from the exterior of Reynolds’ newly remodeled home. Officers then opened another unlocked door to enter.

SWAT agents searched drawers, untied appliances from the walls of the house, knocked over mattresses, tore clothes from closets, tore off furniture cushions and emptied open soda cans on the floor, depending on the combination. The search caused thousands of dollars in damage.

Reynolds, who is black, said police did not retaliate against two white lawyers involved in defending her stepson. She alleges that the raid was motivated by racial animosity.

His complaint, filed under section 1983 of the Civil Rights Act, seeks damages for an unreasonable search, a violation of his First Amendment right to argue for an acquittal, and a violation of the law. equal protection.

The city’s brief in support of the dismissal motion said SWAT officers were unaware that Reynolds had given consent to officers at the scene while others obtained a search warrant. The search was conducted to find a small young man who weighed only 110 pounds, the city said.

This involves checking to see if the drawers pull out to expose a recessed area where a small person could hide, as well as checking between mattresses, under cushions and behind appliances, again, where a motivated little young man could. hide, according to the record. .

The city’s brief said all claims related to the search should be dismissed as clearance was given to the police. In any event, Reynolds has offered no factual support for his claims that false statements were used to secure a warrant or that the raid was motivated by retaliation and racial animosity, the city said.

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