CINCINNATI (AP) — A federal appeals court panel has reversed a judge's decision to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit involving the city of Columbus and two police officers.
The three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. District Court of Appeals said Monday it appears the officers violated Tremaine Nelms' constitutional right against unreasonable search and seizure. The panel is sending the case back to federal court for trial.
Nelms' 2008 lawsuit says the officers and his Columbus apartment complex manager entered and searched his apartment unlawfully and without reason. He also says he was forced to sit in the back of a police car.
The officers say they thought someone might be hurt inside.
Nelms says he now suffers from nightmares and depression, and fears police. His lawsuit seeks at least $25,000.
