Ohio State student sues police, alleges beating
COLUMBUS (AP) — An Ohio State University student has filed a federal civil-rights lawsuit against Columbus police, accusing them of beating him over what later amounted to a littering conviction, according to court records made public today.
In a lawsuit filed Friday, Joseph Hines, 21, accuses officers of a “brutal, unjustified physical attack” on Aug. 29, 2012, that left him unconscious, led to a three-day hospitalization and caused permanent scarring. He’s seeking a minimum of $75,000.
Hines, of Jackson, Mich., later pleaded guilty to a charge of littering stemming from his arrest and paid a $100 fine. Five other charges were dropped.
Columbus police didn’t immediately return a request for comment today but had accused Hines of underage drinking, trying to flee police and resisting arrest.
Richard Bash, the attorney for the city of Columbus — also named in the lawsuit — said today the city had not yet been served and declined to comment.