Sheriff Hall and Employees Cleared of Any Wrongdoing in Federal Suit After Week Long Trial

by Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A week long jury trial in the U.S. District Court (Northern District of FL, Pensacola Division) ended yesterday evening when a jury found Sheriff Wendell Hall and twelve of his deputies not guilty on all of the allegations made against them. The Plaintiff, Bobby Link (through his attorney, Christopher Varner, Esq.) filed a complaint with the U.S. District Court in November 2008. The complaint addressed numerous allegations of civil rights violations that were alleged by Bobby Link after his arrest on August 01, 2006 and his term of incarceration at the Santa Rosa County Jail. Link had a number of complaints, to include: Refusal of medical treatment, being the subject of religious discrimination, and being the subject of repeated unlawful use of force. The jury found no merit to Link’s claims and returned “not guilty” verdicts on all alleged counts of civil rights violations. The Sheriff and his deputies were represented by Attorney Keith Tischler, an Associate of Jolly & Peterson, PA, law firm in Tallahassee, FL.

Sheriff Wendell Hall made the following statement. “I am very pleased with the outcome of the trial. I am regretful that the deputies whom these false allegations were made against had to go through this lengthy period of unnecessary stress. I am proud of the professional manner in which they handled themselves involving their dealings with Mr. Link, and the way that all of my deputies interact professionally with the public. I take great pride in the professionalism and integrity of this organization.”

Sheriff Wendell Hall and his representatives will pursue full restitution from Mr. Link for all expenses incurred by the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office during this lengthy litigation.