Harrington v. Velat

Memorandum Opinion The jury returned an inconsistent verdict in an action against police officers and the City of Detroit alleging assault and battery, false imprisonment and violation of civil rights arising out of plaintiffs arrest.

The jury found the officers not guilty but awarded plaintiff-husband $2,000 for physical inju ries against the City of Detroit. Since the city’s liability was derivative, the verdict was inconsistent. The trial court denied plaintiffs’ motion for new trial and "corrected” the jury’s verdict to read no cause of action against the City of Detroit. The Court of…