Claim filed after murder conspiracy charges against father, son dropped
OZARK - A $2 million claim alleging libel, defamation and false arrest during a murder conspiracy case that was later dismissed has been filed with the Dale County Commission and the City of Hartford, according to officials.
According to documents filed by Birmingham attorney Sam Hill on behalf of Fred and Garret Daniels of Pinckard, the Daniels are seeking $1 million each for being “denied due process of law because of the conduct of Dale County” and being subjected to “felonious injury ... intentional infliction of emotional distress; and outrage.”
The two men were charged and jailed under $3 million cash bonds each earlier this year after allegations that they contracted to kill Dale County Circuit Judge Ken Quattlebaum, attorney Buddy Williams and Garret Daniels’ ex-wife, Sharmon, and to assault Fred Daniels’ ex-son-in-law, Tim Williams.
A claim is typically a formality submitted to a government body before a legal complaint is filed.
A draft legal complaint attached to the claim listed potential defendants in a federal lawsuit as Williams, the City of Hartford and its police chief, Nick Finer; and Dale County Sheriff Wally Olson.
According to the complaint, Williams made allegations on Jan. 30 that the Daniels had contracted with a hit man to kill and assault the individuals.
The draft complaint also alleges Finer pursued an investigation against the Daniels “without probable cause and without consent,” and that Olson detained the men in the same manner and stated allegations as “facts.”
The draft complaint asks for at least $10 million in compensatory damages and demands the trial be heard by a jury.
Dale County Commission attorney Henry Steagall said the claim is expected to go before the commission later this month.
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Reader Reactions
My hats off to Mr.Daniels and his son.They are doing the RIGHT THING!It was horrible to be taken from your family and home. Then to sit in a jail for 2 months with a BOND SET AT $3 MILLION DOLLARS CASH!! That is horrible!!What ever happened to INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!!Hartford police should be investigated!As we all know that OPD and DSCO NEEDS to be investigated very badly!!I SAY to the “DANIELS” GO FOR IT!! you have nothing to lose!! This may just open up a bunch of things that has needed to be opened!! It is time for people that have been done wrong to get justice!! There are people that sign things(such as judges etc..,) that does not even look-in to and tears families apart!GET YOUR ATTORNEY TO REALLY INVESTIGATE THESE FOLKS IN AUTHORITY DOWN HERE AND THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT!! GOD BLESS you Mr.Daniels and family!!
We cannot place the entire blame on Wally at least he is better than Ford or the other deputy that was running.
As for the Daniels I really don’t think this should fall on Dale Co as I understand it the lies from the Hartford Police Chief started this maybe he should pay the most of this or at least Hartford. Dale Co isn’t clean though they should pay there share. This is just another case in law enforcement we well ock them up first then get at the truth. At least Mr. Adams had good sense to drop the charges though it took so long. I think $10 mil a piece is not enough, I wonder if there business has suffered and there place in the community. Maybe one of these men well run for sheriff
I think they deserve every bit of $10 million. Unfortunately the taxpayers of Dale County are going to foot the bill. There needs to be some accountability for people who make decisions that can ruin another persons life.
A million a piece really is not enough for what these two went through as well as there families. The Police Chief that started this pack of lies should be prosecuted for lieing to a police officer
I was confused when I learned of the arrest and then the two men were released without charges. I do not know what goes on in Hartford, but this is just another mistake Sheriff Olson has made in his rookie term. There has been a riot at the jail, charges of sexual harassment, deputies viewing porn on government property, poor management of funds and now a possible two-million cost to the Dale County tax payers. Olson is looking more and more like a one-and-done elected offical.
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