In January 1972, plaintiffs filed a class action lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, alleging a pattern and practice of police brutality towards African-American visitors to Little Rock, Arkansas. The class consisted of all black persons who ever resided or visited the City of Little Rock, Arkansas. The trial began in December of 1974 and lasted 30 days. No pattern and practice of police brutality was found, but some specific incidents were substantiated. The parties tried to reach a consent decree regarding declaratory relief, but were unable to reach agreement, and on June 21, 1983, the court (Judge Garnett Eisele) issued a Memorandum Opinion addressing the unresolved issues. The court found that the lawsuit had led to changes in some of the police procedures, but did not rule for the plaintiffs on every issue. In that opinion, the judge noted that this lawsuit was a necessary and important factor in the defendant's decision to integrate the jail.

Following the Memorandum Opinion, the only outstanding issue was attorney's fees. The court (Judge Eisele) held that plaintiffs, who were partially successful in prevailing, were entitled to an award of fees. Phillips v. Weeks, 586 F. Supp 241 (E.D. Ark. 1984). The court then ordered the case dismissed.

Ben Kelly - 02/18/2006


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