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Release Number: 09-334

For Immediate Release

Public Information Office

December 14, 2009

JD Callaway: jcallawa@hcso.tampa.fl.us

(813) 247-8060

 

 

Who:

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
What:

Jury Verdict Vindicates HCSO
When:

Thursday, December 10, 2009
Where:

Hillsborough County Courthouse
Why/How:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jury Vindicates Deputies In Inmate’s Medical Care Lawsuit

 

A Hillsborough County civil court jury returned a verdict on Thursday, December 10, 2009, in favor of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and its detention deputies.

 

Former inmate Karen Ramsey and her attorney, Michael Trentalange, in a lawsuit accused the detention deputies of failing to provide her access to medical care at the Falkenburg Road Jail in November 2004. She sought money mainly for post traumatic stress disorder.

 

The Sheriff’s lawyers, deputy chief legal counsel Thea Clark and assistant legal counsel Jason Gordillo, presented testimony from the detention deputies as well as detailed documentation of the incident which proved the deputies’ credibility and the proper performance of their duties and responsibilities with the inmate.

 

The civil trial lasted for four days; the jury deliberated only three hours before returning its verdict.

 

Sheriff David Gee expressed his appreciation to the jury for weighing the evidence in this case and delivering a proper verdict. Sheriff Gee lauds the actions of his detention deputies in dealing with the inmate and for maintaining documentation of what occurred.