by John McNeill KALAMAZOO -- Kalamazoo’s Public Safety Department may be turning over a new leaf, but it won’t be able to escape its past entirely. A $5-Million dollar lawsuit has just been filed alleging police brutality in a now famous incident. Julia Frank has been trying to get help for her adoptive son for a long time. Now 16, Michael Goldman has lived with Frank since he was two weeks old. She says he's been trouble for most of that time. He was finally diagnosed as mentally retarded six years ago. His growing rap sheet eventually led to his arrest last March; then his teeth were accidentally knocked out when an officer slammed him against a wall. The officer was punished and transferred, but Frank doesn't think justice has been served. Her Attorney Arnold Reed, says Goldman's story isn't unique. They filed suit in federal court on Monday against the officer, the Public Safety Department and the City of Kalamazoo. It seeks five million dollars in damages, and seeks to allow Frank to maintain custody over Goldman. Attorney Reed, a high profile Farmington Hills trial lawyer with some big cases on his resume, filed the lawsuit Monday. Reed claims if they win the money, except his fee, will go into a trust fund to help the boy. The teen is currently at the Edgewater Treatment facility in Grand Rapids. ...
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by John McNeill KALAMAZOO -- Kalamazoo’s Public Safety Department may be turning over a new leaf, but it won’t be able to escape its past entirely. A $5-Million dollar lawsuit has just been filed alleging police brutality in a now famous incident. Julia Frank has been trying to get help for her adoptive son for a long time. Now 16, Michael Goldman has lived with Frank since he was two weeks old. She says he's been trouble for most of that time. He was finally diagnosed as mentally retarded six years ago. His growing rap sheet eventually led to his arrest last March; then his teeth were accidentally knocked out when an officer slammed him against a wall. The officer was punished and transferred, but Frank doesn't think justice has been served. Her Attorney Arnold Reed, says Goldman's story isn't unique. They filed suit in federal court on Monday against the officer, the Public Safety Department and the City of Kalamazoo. It seeks five million dollars in damages, and seeks to allow Frank to maintain custody over Goldman. Attorney Reed, a high profile Farmington Hills trial lawyer with some big cases on his resume, filed the lawsuit Monday. Reed claims if they win the money, except his fee, will go into a trust fund to help the boy. The teen is currently at the Edgewater Treatment facility in Grand Rapids. ...