Mississippi Litigation Review & Commentary : Mississippi Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Phillip W. Thomas Law Firm : MS Litigation Review & Commentary

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Last Wednesday a North Mississippi federal court jury awarded $50,000 in emotional distress damages to former Como police chief Cleve Gale. Como fired Gale in 2008 after serving 25 years as chief. The 3–2 vote to terminate Gale was along racial lines with 3 white alderman voting to terminate.

Here is Gale's Complaint. The jury's verdict form indicates that the jury found that race was one motivating factor in the town's decision to fire Gale, but other factors were also involved. Because of this finding, Gale did not recover back pay. Here is the verdict form.

The jury consisted of 7 whites and 1 black.

Jim Waide and Rachel Pierce of Waide & Associates in Tupelo represented the plaintiff. Gary Friedman and Brett Harvey of Phelps Dunbar in Jackson represented the defendant. Judge Michael Mills presided in the case. 

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On the heels of Saturday's lackluster loss to Alcorn State in football Jackson State suffered another defeat today when a federal court jury in Jackson awarded LaVerne Gentry $100,000 in her lawsuit against J.S.U. for discrimination and retaliation. Here is the Clarion-Ledger's article. Here is the Ledger's article from last week when the trial started, which described the plaintiff's allegations:

The lawsuit alleges that in or about March 2006 she was denied a raise because of her gender.

"After speaking out about matters of public concern, Dr. LaVerne Gentry was removed from tenure track," according to her lawsuit.

Attorney Lisa Ross (right) talks about the suit filed by her client LaVerne Gentry (left) stemming from Gentry's claim she was denied tenure and a related salary increase at Jackson State University because of her gender. (Brian Albert Broom/The Clarion-Ledger)

 

The jury found for Ms. Gentry on her retaliation claim and for J.S.U. on the discrimination case.

Plaintiff's counsel was Lisa Ross of Jackson. Defense counsel were Gary Friedman and Latoya Merritt with Phelps Dunbar in Jackson.

Ross asked for $100,000 in closing and will be able to file a motion to recover attorney's fees.