Milan Mayor Faces Jury Trial Lawsuit in Federal Court
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JACKSON, Tenn.- The Mayor of Milan and other city leaders are the targets of a lawsuit now being heard inside of the Jackson U.S. District Court. The lawsuit has been active for 5 years, it alleges Mayor Chris Crider violated the first amendment and human rights of current Milan city employee, Lindsey Whitney Taylor. The U.S. District Court went into session at 9:30 a.m., Monday. Due to procedural delays, council did not begin selecting jury members until 1:30 p.m. Around 3:15 p.m., jury selection finished. The jury selected to hear the federal case include 8 people: 5 women and 3 men of different ages and backgrounds. Taylor, who used to work inside of the Milan City Hall, filed the complaint against the City of Milan and Mayor Chris Crider in 2009. Taylor alleges that Mayor Crider violated her freedom of speech and first amendment rights in 2008, by not allowing her to participate or assist in a lawsuit that was filed by ex-employee , Keri Williams. Williams a friend of Taylor’s, was fired by Mayor Crider on Sept. 12, 2008, according to officials. Taylor’s attorney’s said Williams who was the city recorder at the time was making allegations of corruption against Mayor Crider. The allegations made by Williams included spending without the board’s approval, favor of treatment for political friends and misuse of funds. Williams ultimately filed a lawsuit against the City and Crider claiming the Mayor fired her after she exposed the alleged improper actions, that lawsuit was dismissed in 2009. According to Taylor’s attorney’s, Mayor Cider called her into his office for a closed door meeting on September 12, just hours after he had fired Williams. Her attorney’s argued that Mayor Crider then threatened to fire her, if she spoke with or participated in any action with Williams. Taylor claims she was later demoted and retaliated against for her friendship with Williams. Mayor Crider through his attorney has denied all allegations made in this lawsuit. At least five witnesses including former Milan Police Chief Tim Wright is expected to testify over the next two days. Chief Judge J. Daniel Breen said in court, he anticipates the jury portion of this trial to last until Wednesday. Taylor also claims violations to her human rights regarding discriminatory retaliation. By law, Jurors will only decide on the complaint regarding Taylor’s freedom of speech and first amendment rights violation. According to attorney’s, the Tennessee Human Rights claim regarding discriminatory retaliation will be decided by Chief Judge J. Daniel Breen. The overall trial is expected to last 3 to 5 days. Until this case comes to a close, Crider and the alleged victim have refused comment. If Taylor wins this civil case, she could be awarded more than $850,000.
