Local News

$4M LAWSUIT AGAINST COPS DISMISSED

A multi-million-dollar lawsuit against Sudbury's municipal police service
has been dismissed.

The $4-million lawsuit was filed in December 2000 by a Sudbury couple.

Louis Poitras and Karen Lunn launched the suit, as well as a third
plaintiff, Allan Campbell.

The lawsuit was filed in the aftermath of the arrests of all three in
February 2000 on drug and weapons charges.

Poitras and Campbell were arrested at a police roadblock in Coniston, after
officers fired several shots at the suspects' vehicle, striking Campbell in
the elbow in the process.

Police recovered cocaine, more than $7,000 in cash and a hunting knife at
the scene, while a later search of Poitras's and Lunn's residence uncovered
drug paraphernalia and a loaded handgun.

Poitras eventually was sentenced to 10 months in jail after pleading guilty
to drug trafficking and possession of a restricted firearm, while Campbell
received an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and
dangerous driving. Charges against Lunn were withdrawn as part of a plea
bargain with the Crown attorney's office.

The lawsuit filed by Poitras, Lunn and Campbell was dismissed three months
ago, almost two years to the day after it was filed, a solicitor with the
City of Greater Sudbury confirmed Tuesday.

"The case was dismissed, without costs," said Heather Salter. "It was
dismissed in December."

In addition to the municipal police service and some of its officers, the
lawsuit had named the former Regional Municipality of Sudbury as a defendant.

Because of municipal amalgamation in January 2001, the new city took over
jurisdiction of former regional services, including the regional police
department.

Meanwhile, Poitras and Lunn are scheduled to be in criminal court next week
to answer to drug trafficking charges.

They each face two charges of possession of a narcotic for the purpose of
trafficking, as well as several charges of possession of a narcotic.