By C1 Staff
CUMBERLAND, NJ — Three correctional officers and the warden of the Cumberland County Jail are asking a judge to dismiss a lawsuit against them filed by a man shot and killed by Bridgeton police officers during a December traffic stop.
NJ.com reports that Jerame Reid alleged that he was assaulted by the officers in 2009 while he was incarcerated at the facility.
He claimed that that officers repeatedly kicked, punched and pepper sprayed him, then poured a bucket of cold water on him while he was curled up on the ground in his cell.
Reid also claimed that he suffered broken ribs, a fractured left orbital bone and a loss of sensation in his nerves. His suit seeks at least $100,000.
The officers named in the suit – John Zamot, Victor Bermudez and John Ballard – argue that Reid’s claims are unfounded and should be dismissed.
According to court documents, Reid was in the process of being moved to a different cell after an altercation with another inmate who claimed Reid had a weapon. After he was moved and his handcuffs removed, Reid allegedly made a comment to the officers. The officers then reopened Reid’s cell and the alleged assault by Zamot and Bermudez took place.
Ballard said he only saw parts of the struggle and it looked as though one of the officers “threw a punch in response to one thrown by Reid.”
Lawyers representing the county and the officers assert that there is very little evidence to substantiate Reid’s claims.
One lawyer argued that the officers felt Reid “posed a threat and their actions to control Reid were reasonable in light of the circumstances.”
The same lawyer also stated that Reid’s claim was filed 91 days after the alleged incident, one day past the state’s deadline to notify a government entity of intent to sue.
No one at the law firm representing Reid returned calls for comment.