Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Hawaii island blogger sues police over beating claim
POSTED: 12:21 p.m. HST, Jun 29, 2012
HILO >> A civil suit alleges two Big Island police officers beat up a blogger.
Damon Tucker's lawsuit filed Thursday claims he was assaulted while filming a fracas in front of a nightclub last year.
The lawsuit also claims the officers damaged his iPhone and Nikon camera.
Attorney Lee Loy tells Hawaii Tribune-Herald the lawsuit came after an attempt to settle with the county.
Puna Patrol Officers James Waiamau and Matthew Bartz are named in the suit, which doesn't name the county or the police department.
A police report says Tucker shoved his camera into victims' faces, was combative and appeared intoxicated. A misdemeanor charge of obstructing government operations was later dropped.
Deputy Corporation Counsel Joseph Kamelamela denies any wrongdoing by the officers.
‘Soul Sessions’ feat. Taimane
