South Jersey Man Files Lawsuit Against Law Enforcement Officials
By Cleve Bryan
CAMDEN, N.J., (CBS) -- The family of Xavier Ingram blame Camden County Police for paralyzing the 21-year-old during an arrest in June.
Attorney Beth Baldinger who represents Ingram in a civil lawsuit claims police used excessive force causing his spinal injury.
"The lawsuit we recently filed for Mr. Ingram contends and claims that the officers stomped the back of his neck and his neck," said Baldinger at a news conference she hosted on Friday.
According to police Ingram ran from officers after ditching a gun near Chestnut and 7th Streets.
Video from Camden's Eye in The Sky surveillance system shows Ingram running from police and falling just before officers descend on him.
What's unclear in the dark video is the extent of contact between Ingram and the officers while he is on the ground.
Baldinger alleges police caused the spinal injury after Ingram was already subdued.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office is investigating and referred us to a previous statement from June 13 which said "An investigation into officer conduct is ongoing, but the incident was captured on video and there is no indication of the use of excessive force or police misconduct that might have contributed to Ingram's injuries."
"It's bogus, we don't believe that. It's just a cover up, there's no way possible," says Ashley Ingram, Xavier's older sister.
Baldinger is calling on the Prosecutor's Office to release more information and ultimately seeks a monetary settlement so Ingram can receive 24-7 medical care for the rest of his life.
She says the settlement could be worth tens of millions of dollars.
Ingram's criminal defense attorney Robert Dunn says Ingram has entered pleas of not guilty to the drug and weapons charges.
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