FAIRHOPE, Ala. - The attorney for two Fairhope residents who filed state and federal lawsuits this month against the city and a Fairhope police officer, alleging assault and battery and other claims, stated this afternoon that settlement negotations have been ongoing regarding the alleged incident that occurred two years ago.

The May 3 filing of lawsuits in Baldwin County Circuit Court and federal court in Mobile prevented the statute of limitations to run on the state case, regarding the alleged incident that occurred on May 5, 2009.

“I have been actively involved in negotiating a settlement with (the city’s insurance company), and we’re attempting to resolve the case,” said Keith Landers, the Daphne attorney representing plaintiffs Dorsey and Dorris Henderson. “The city of Fairhope has treated the case respectfully and professionally.”

Landers called The Courier today, the afternoon of May 19, following attempts by the newspaper to reach him prior to the press deadline this morning. The print edition of The Courier that will be published tomorrow, Friday, May 20, will state that Landers could not be reached for comment.

Landers was informed that Chris Warner, a Fairhope resident and unsuccessful candidate for mayor in 2008 and City Council in 2004, had sent numerous emails on May 19 about the case, as well as forwarding emails from other individuals making claims about the case.

The more than a dozen emails distributed by Warner also stated that local resident Paul Ripp, a frequent critic of city officials, had met with the plaintiffs today, May 19.

Landers was concerned these emails, actions and media accounts might mischacterize the lawsuit, the Fairhope police department, and city staff and officials.

“Contrary to some third-party emails that have made numerous erroneous statements today about this case, I have not been harrassed in any way by the Fairhope police department or by the city,” he said.

Landers did state that the plantiffs “stand by the facts of the case.”

For the related story, see:

http://baldwincountynow.com/articles/2011/05/19/local_news/doc4dd55ae62e7e2850306558.txt