Two Dallas police officers have been ordered to pay $169,000 to a man jailed for 10 months for carrying a bag of methamphetamines and a gun even though the officers knew of a video showing he didn't have the bag.
The federal jury in Dallas said Friday the officers violated Thomas Hannon's constitutional rights by hiding existence of the video, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Senior Cpl. David Nevitt and Officer Jerry Dodd contended it was an honest mistake. Charges against Hannon were dropped in 2008 after his lawyer showed prosecutors a motel surveillance video clearly showing he didn't have the bag. He then sued the officers.
They remain employed. Dallas city spokesman Frank Librio said in an email Friday evening the police department would review the case to "access options as to further actions needed."
