Alleged rape victim files lawsuit against city of Jackson
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JACKSON, Tenn. — New details are released about a lawsuit filed against the city of Jackson alleging leaders could have stopped a rape. The alleged rape victim of a former Jackson police officer filed a federal lawsuit claiming her constitutional rights have been violated by the city for allowing a culture of disrespect toward women. The victim’s attorney, Mike Weinman, said the city is at fault because the officer was not properly trained, supervised or disciplined. The 11-page lawsuit against the city of Jackson claims the city is just as responsible as the former officer for the rape of a 39-year-old mother. Everett Gray has been indicted in the alleged attack. Weinman said a female officer who was a courtesy officer at the woman’s apartment complex introduced Gray and the victim suggesting he could help her with her autistic son. Weinman said the female officer acted inappropriately. “Involving them in the day-to-day lives of these individuals, it puts them in a different position than they would normally be in as police officers,” he said. Weinman said the city has a duty to train courtesy officers, “and the city failed to provide proper training to recognize these risks and how to handle these types of situations.” Weinman alleges three other Jackson officers knew Gray had inappropriate intentions toward the victim. “And took no action to try to stop him or to warn her, and had they done so they could’ve prevented this from happening and therefore are responsible for her being raped,” he said. John Burleson, who’s representing the city, wasn’t able to speak on camera but released a statement saying in part, “The plaintiff wrongly claims that the city knew Gray was a rapist. There are no facts that support these claims and we will defend the city against these false allegations.” Weinman said the city has 20 days to respond to the federal complaint that was filed Tuesday.
