In July 2012, D.C. police officers seized Earl Staley, Jr.’s cell phone after Mr. Staley photographed another officer who was acting improperly. Interestingly enough, this seizure occurred just one day after the Police Chief had issued a General Order—in settlement of an ACLU lawsuit—firmly instructing officers not to do such a thing.
When Mr. Staley retrieved his phone later at the stationhouse, it was missing its memory chip which contained many irreplaceable photographs and other valuable data. We filed suit for damages in September 2012; after discovery, and with the assistance of a court-appointed mediator, it was settled in April 2014.
