City of Albany, Georgia Receives Notice of Wrongful Death Suit

July 29, 2009

On Tuesday, city leaders in Albany, Georgia received notice from the attorney for the family of Clayton Lewis, a man who was killed during a traffic stop. According to the local laws, attorneys are required to notify municipalities of their intention to sue at least 30 days before the filing.

Lewis’ family contends that they have a wrongful death case against the city police department. According to police reports, Lewis was pulled over during a traffic stop. He began to pull his car away, essentially trapping Officer Mark Farley inside. Lewis pulled a gun on the officer, who proceeded to shoot him eight times.

The officers pulled Lewis over because they believed that he had participating in drug activity and had a hunch that his license was not valid. The family now says that the traffic stop and search was unwarranted and illegal. According to them, the accident should have never occurred.

The officer was exonerated criminally, because it was found that his use of force was within the limits of the law, however, if the court finds him guilty of wrongful death, then the city could be sued.