RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. (AP) — A federal judge says a man named in a civil lawsuit over the investigation into Nona Dirksmeyer's death won't be penalized for not responding to the lawsuit.
U.S. District Judge James Moody ruled Monday that Gary Dunn's failure to answer the lawsuit filed by Kevin Jones was not a "willful or intentional act."
Jones sued Dunn and Russellville police over the investigation into Dirksmeyer's death. Jones was initially charged then acquitted in her killing. Dunn later went to trial on the charges but jurors deadlocked two times.
Jones sued last December but officials could not locate Dunn to serve him with paperwork. An affidavit filed last week says Dunn moved to Florida after he was released from jail and only recently returned to Arkansas to be with his dying mother.
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