Milan City Suit Continues with Human Rights Non-Jury Trial
JACKSON, Tenn.- The Federal lawsuit against Milan Mayor Chris Crider will stretch into a fifth day. Lindsey Whitney Taylor testified most of the day, Thursday. A judge now must decide if her human rights were violated by Mayor Crider. “This has been going on for several years, about 5 years or so. It’s about time we get it settled and move on,” said resident Jimmy Garmany. Attorneys argued back and forth for hours inside of Jackson’s Federal Courthouse, Thursday. Taylor argued she was retaliated against after filing a complaint against the mayor in 2009. The complaint stemmed from a closed door conversation with Mayor Crider in September of 2008. A jury has already ruled Taylor’s right to freedom of speech was impeded during that conversation and awarded her $50,000, Wednesday. “You would hope she had a right to her freedom of speech, I would if I was in that situation, ” resident Ben McCullough said. “Had it been violated I guess I would want it to be acknowledged.” In court, Taylor maintained that she was not allowed inside city hall and was prohibited from activities that would place her in the public spotlight. Attorneys for the city of Milan said none of that was true. Judge Daniel Breen, not a jury, will decide if her claims of retaliation warrant a Human Rights violation. “Really can’t see the end results until the judge makes his opinion,”said Garmany. With Taylor’s testimony over, other witnesses are expected to take the stand on Friday. All attorneys involved are not talking to the media until all of the proceedings conclude. “I hope that she feels as though she got done fair and people still believe in Chris Crider,” said Mccullough ” I think he has been good for the City of Milan.” Among the witnesses expected to testify tomorrow, Milan’s former fire chief. Records show Taylor remains an employee of the city.
