LAWSUIT AGAINST WISE OFFICERS DISMISSED

Thursday, June 28, 2007
by Duane Nelson

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS DISMISSED A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST TWO OFFICERS WITH THE WISE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THE SUIT WAS FILED AGAINST LT. ANDREW MCNALLY AND FORMER DEPUTY JOHN PATRICK OLIVER YOST IN REGARDS TO THE JULY 2005 SHOOTING DEATH OF JONATHAN KIRBY WILLIS AT THE DOUBLE KWIK CONVENIENCE STORE IN POWELL VALLEY. WILLIS' PARENTS FILED THE SUIT ON BEHALF OF THEIR SON CLAIMING THE DEPUTIES USED UNLAWFUL FORCE DURING THE INCIDENT. THEY HAD SOUGHT TEN MILLION DOLLARS IN COMPENSATION. CHIEF U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE JAMES JONES DISMISSED THE SUIT SAYING THE ACTIONS OF POLICE WERE REASONABLE UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES.