NEW ORLEANS – A man is seeking damages for being allegedly assaulted by a deputy.
Thomas Watson filed a suit against Marlin Gusman, individually and in his official capacity as sheriff of Orleans Parish, city of New Orleans, Deputy Thomas Elder, individually and his official capacity and XYZ insurance company in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Dec. 5.
According to the claim, the plaintiff was a guest at the criminal district court on Dec. 8, 2015, to meet with a judge and a community group. He alleges he was physically assaulted by Elder without explanation and removed from the court.
The defendants are accused of negligence, battery, assault, excessive force and/or unlawful arrest and other counts.
The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. He is represented by Lawrence Blake Jones, David C. Whitmore and Patrick J. Eskew of Scheueman and Jones LLC in New Orleans.
The case has been assigned to Division J Judge Paula A. Brown.
The Orleans Parish Civil District Court Case number 16-11896