Published: April 11, 2007 03:01 pm      

City, Hintons settle Tomato Brawl suit

By Jim Goodson

editor@jacksonvilleprogress.com

TYLER – A lawsuit that claimed Jacksonville police officers used excessive force during the now-infamous Tomato Bowl brawl Oct. 22, 2004 has been settled prior to gong to trial.

Larry and Leslie Hinton filed the lawsuit in Tyler federal court against the officers who arrested him, their former chief and the city of Jacksonville. The lawsuit claimed officers attacked him and arrested his wife without reason.

On Wednesday, April 4 a settlement was reached, according to a mediator’s report signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge John Love. Details of the settlement agreement have not been filed.

Hinton alleged that officers used Mace and a Taser on him while beating him and knocking out two teeth.

The lawsuit claimed Hinton “had no idea what he was walking into” when he saw officers handcuffing his wife as the couple left the game. When he asked officers what was happening, he was “immediately attacked,” the suit stated.

Former Jacksonville Officer Larry Pugh allegedly maced and beat Hinton, according to the lawsuit.

Pugh was fired from the Jacksonville Police Department for an unrelated matter.

Earlier juries acquitted Hinton on charges of resisting arrest and interfering with the duties of a public servant and a judge had dismissed Mrs. Hinton’s charge of disorderly conduct.

The lawsuit filed by the Hintons also named former Jacksonville Police Chief Mark Johnson and officers Jason Price, Raymond Bouman and Sgt. Jeff Johnson. The claims against Cherokee County Deputy Sheriff Gina Battley were dismissed.