Explanation
This ordinance is submitted to settle the claim of John Edwards in the total amount of Thirty-five Thousand Dollars ($35,000.00).
Funds were not specifically budgeted for this settlement; however, sufficient monies are available for this settlement.
On March 1, 2013, Mr. Edwards was attending a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) match at the Lifestyles Communities Pavilion which was part of the 2013 Arnold Fitness Classic events. At approximately 10 p.m., Mr. Edwards was observing the conclusion of a round on one of the large screen televisions behind the main bar. At this time, another individual was causing a disturbance in the area and the director of security for the Pavilion requested that this individual be removed from the premises. There were special duty officers working security at the event as well as regular duty officers. One of the regular duty officers who was removing the intoxicated and disorderly individual from the premises believed he was pushed by Mr. Edwards. After the individual had been removed, the officer returned to Mr. Edwards to confront him. A discussion ensued and finally the officer advised Mr. Edwards that he would have to leave the premises and Mr. Edwards refused, denying that he had shoved the officer. At some point, the officer advised Mr. Edwards that he was going to arrest him for criminal trespass and the officer believed that Mr. Edwards was going to resist his arrest. The officer then maced Mr. Edwards and he was taken to the ground. Mr. Edwards cut his forehead on the pavement in the take-down. Mr. Edwards suffered a concussion, a cut on his forehead, two sprained wrists from the fall and abrasions on his wrists. Because of conflicting testimony, Mr. Edwards was taken to the Franklin County Jail and incarcerated where he remained for nine hours. Mr. Edwards is from North Carolina and sought medical treatment amounting to One Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Dollars and Fifty-seven cents ($1,720.57). It was a...
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