Lawyer: Detective's attorneys stalling Police brutality lawsuit

The lawyer for James Hoskins, the Black man who was shot by police during a drug raid in February wants a federal judge to place his brutality lawsuit on the fast track. In papers filed Friday his lawyer denies allegations that he has used the news media to humiliate Detective Dale Keddie Jr., who fired the shot, and the other officers who participated in the raid. Attorneys for the detective say they also want a gag order imposed on anyone involved in the case. Keddie, the lawyers say, received an anonymous death threat because the shooting has received too much publicity. The request for the court to impose a gag order "is a thinly veiled attempt to preclude public knowledge and discussion of the facts in the case," Thomas  Mellon said in his motion opposing such an order. Victim James Hoskins, 22, and his girlfriend, Valerie Custer, who witnessed the shooting, have sued Keddie and the police and municipalities of Middletown, Bristol Township and Tullytown. Their lawsuit says the police were poorly trained and used excessive force. Hoskins was unarmed and naked when he was shot Feb. 6 in the bedroom of his Bristol Township apartment. The gunshot wound became infected, and Hoskins' left leg was amputated above the knee.  [more ]