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| Updated: 12/19/2012 10:20 pm |
Published: 12/19/2012 5:00 pm |
PINE BLUFF, AR -- The jury decided in favor of Chaderious Avery, the teenager involved in that attack and court chief of staff Roderick Shelby will have to pay him $6,003. However, no punitive damages against Shelby.
After deliberating nearly five hours, the jury says Shelby acted out of line for his actions in a fight with Avery. Witnesses say Shelby grabbed Avery by the throat, bashed his head into the wall, and punched him.
"This right here shouldn't happen to any other child," said Avery's mother Karen Walls.
Although she asked for significantly more than the jury awarded, Walls said she's pleased they placed blame upon Shelby for excessive force.
Shelby's attorney says his client acted in self defense. He felt threatened by Avery's words and rage.
Walls hopes this case brings about change.
"I hope they will protect the kids more down there in juvenile and I had a lesson learned from my child being down there for my own experience," Walls said.
The federal judge dismissed Jefferson County sheriff Gerald Robinson in this case, saying Shelby was not acting as a deputy at the time of the attack.
