Columbia settled case involving attorney’s arrest
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The City of Columbia says it’s settled a lawsuit stemming from a case involving an attorney who was questioning police while they were arresting his friend.
Officials announced Friday that they have settled with Jonathan David McCoy for $300,000 to resolve the case prior to trial. The settlement follows a decision by a federal court judge which said a Columbia law dealing with interfering with an officer during an arrest was unconstitutional.
The 1979 law read, “It shall be unlawful for any person to interfere with or molest a police officer in the lawful discharge of his duties.” Anderson contended that the law was unconstitutional because it was “unduly vague.”
Police arrested McCoy after he raised questions while his friend was being arrested in October 2009 outside a bar.
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