Some of you might recall the short-lived show Armed & Famous. It was the show featuring celebrities trained as police officers then filmed as they went on patrol in Muncie. I frequently represent my county’s Sheriff’s Department against various claims and, therefore, couldn’t help but cringe on behalf of the attorney for the Muncie Police Department when this show aired.
The Muncie Star Press has an article on the filing of a tort claim notice in relation to one of the Armed & Famous raids. Apparently the Muncie Police searched the wrong apartment. The subject of that mistaken search, by her attorney Michael Sutherlin, has filed a tort claim notice claiming the Muncie P.D. “committed an illegal search and seizure, used excessive force and battered Clements, which are violations of rights guaranteed by the constitutions of the United States and Indiana.”
When my wife & I were watching this, I commented that if I were in Muncie, it’d almost be worth getting shot by one of those people. The basis for a lawsuit is almost the premise of the show — inexperienced cops set loose on the city. And everybody involved has fairly deep pockets.
For those not familiar with the process, filing a notice of tort claim is the necessary prerequisite for filing a lawsuit against a political subdivision. It’s not the same as filing a lawsuit, but it must be done to preserve the person’s right to sue. My understanding is that the claimant’s attorney, Michael Sutherlin, has something of a specialty in these cases. Could be interesting.
Their defense will be that the reality “stars” graduated their academy and were supervised by full-time officers. Still, I bet they settle with this guy. It was bad TV at its best (worst?). But the budget was so low, CBS can probably blow some legal money and still come out ahead. They’re probably just glad no one got killed during the filming.
What a dumb premise for a TV show. Almost asking for a lawsuit. Wasn’t there a reality show (perhaps it didn’t actually air) where families in an upper middle class neighborhood were going to choose who would be able to buy a house there? Someone finally figured out that there was a huge potential for a fair housing violation.