Alexander v. State, Department of Public Safety & Corrections

CHEHARDY, Chief Judge.

This is a suit for the return of 13 antique slot machines seized by the State Police in a 1987 gambling raid on a Knights of Columbus “Las Vegas Night” charitable fund-raising event. The Department of Public Safety (i.e., the State Police) has appealed from a judgment ordering the return of the slot machines to the plaintiff. The plaintiff has answered the appeal, seeking $625 for damages the machines allegedly sustained while in the custody of the State Police.

FACTS

The plaintiff, Burnis Alexander, is a collector of antique coin-operated devices whose collection includes…