Articles
Man Acquitted of Handshake Assault Sues City
A handshake assault case that resulted in an acquittal is now the cause of a civil suit against Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, and several others.
In 2005, John Curtis Ridgeway was arrested for assault when three people—a police officer, a bailiff, and a prosecutor—became ill after shaking his hand. Ridgeway had been accused of rubbing an oily substance on his hands before the handshakes.
Civil Rights Violation?
Testing revealed that the oily substance was consistent with olive or linseed oil, and he was acquitted on the charges in July 2006.
Ridgeway said he used oil as part of a religious ritual to rid buildings of demons. His civil suit charges the defendants with violating his rights, including his right to freedom of religion.
He is seeking more than $25,000 in damages from the city, Isabella County Courthouse, and the police officer, bailiff and prosecutor who became ill, and various other officials.
(Source: Morning Sun)
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