HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-1575NATHANIEL MICHAEL,
Plaintiff
VS.
AARON NIGRO, an adult individual,
and AARON NIGRO, in his capacity as
a Police Officer of the Newville Borough
Police Department, and, AARON NIGRO, in
his capacity as a Constable for
Cumberland County, State of
Pennsylvania
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
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JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
NOTICE TO DEFEND
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You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the
following pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are
served, by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the
court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you
fail to do so the case may proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the
court without further notice for any money claimed in the complaint or for any other claim or
relief requested by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to
you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE A LAWYER, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS OFFICE MAY BE ABLE
TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORAMTION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER
LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE..
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone: (717) 249-3166
(800) 990-9108
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990
The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County is required by law to comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. For information about accessible facilities and
reasonable accommodations available to disabled individuals having business before the Court,
please contact our office. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing S,
or business before the Court. All arrangements must be made at least 72 hours prior to any hearing o
business before the court. You must attend the scheduled conference or hearing.
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NATHANIEL MICHAEL,
Plaintiff
vs.
AARON NIGRO, an adult individual,
and AARON NIGRO, in his capacity as
a Police Officer of the Newville Borough
Police Department and, AARON NIGRO, in
his capacity as a Constable for
Cumberland County, State of
Pennsylvania
Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO:
: JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
And now comes Plaintiff, Nathaniel Michael by and through his attorney Vincent M.
Monfredo, Esquire, and avers in support of his complaint as follows:
INTRODUCTION
1.
2
This is an action for money damages brought pursuant to common law of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, 42 U.S.C. Section 1983 and the Fourth and Fourteenth
Amendments to the United States Constitution and the Due Process Clause.
It is alleged that Aaron Nigro made an illegal attempted arrest and assaulted Nathaniel
Michael by firing his firearm at him and as a result violated Michael's rights under the
Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, as well as the Due
Process Clause.
PARTIES
3
Plaintiff, Nathaniel Michael (hereinafter "Michael") is an adult individual living at 7372
Spring Road, New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania.
4. Defendant Aaron Nigro (hereinafter, "Nigro") is an adult individual, believed to be
residing at 107 Spruce Avenue, Carlisle, PA, and at all times relevant was a Constable for
Cumberland County in the State of Pennsylvania and a Police Officer for the Borough of
Newville in the State of Pennsylvania, and at all times acting under color of law, to wit,
under color of the statutes, ordinances, regulations, policies, customs and usages of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and/or the County of Cumberland.
FACTS
5. On or about March 9, 2008, Michael drove-to a Pizza Restaurant along Route 34 in Perry
County, Pennsylvania.
6. Michael's reason for meeting at that Pizza Restaurant was to discuss paying the fines of
Michael's girlfiend, Renae Brennaman.
7. Nigro met with Michael on this day at approximately 7:30 p.m.
8. During their conversation, Nigro began to question Michael on whether he had been
drinking alcohol and driving.
9. Michael then attempted to get back in his car and drive away.
10. Nigro when pulled out his firearm and fired a shot at Michael, which hit Michael's
vehicle.
COUNTI
ASSAULT
11. Previous paragraphs are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
12. Nigro intentionally and unlawfully threatened bodily harm towards Michael by firing a
shot from his firearm at Michael while he was driving away.
13. As a direct and proximate result of the actions of Nigro, Michael feared serious bodily
harm or even death.
14. Michael feared for his life and his personal safety.
15. Michael suffered mental anguish, pain, suffering, and emotional trauma as a direct and
proximate result of Nigro's actions, which will be proven at trial.
16. The actions of Nigro were outrageous and shocking and constituted willful and malicious
conduct for which punitive damages are applicable.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests this Honorable Court enter Judgment in
his favor in an amount in excess of the limits for compulsory arbitration, along with punitive
damages, costs, interest, and attorney's fee against Defendant Nigro as an individual and in
his capacity as a Constable and in his capacity as a Newville Borough Police Officer.
COUNT II
42 USC 1983 ACTION
17. Previous paragraphs are incorporated by reference, as if fully set out herein.
18. Nigro was a Constable for the Cumberland County, Pennsylvania on or about March 9,
2008.
19. Nigro was also employed as Newville Borough Police Officer in the State of Pennsylvania
on or about March 9, 2008.
20. Nigro was acting under state authority as a constable for Cumberland County in the State
of Pennsylvania and as Pennsylvania Police Officer.
21. Alternatively, Nigro was acting under his authority, and in his capacity as an State
Constable and as Pennsylvania State Police Officer.
22. Nigro was acting with authority vested in him by South Middleton Township, The
Commonwealth, the Borough of Newville, and the County of Cumberland, subdivisions
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and thus was acting under color of state law.
23. Nigro, in the course of his employment, by his actions previously described, did deprive
Plaintiff Michael of his rights and protections under the United States Constitution,
including the 4 h Amendment, the 14'' Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the 8`h
Amendment.
24. Plaintiff Michael suffered mental anguish, pain, suffering, and emotional trauma as a
direct and proximate result of Nigro's actions, which will be proven at trial.
25. The actions of Defendant Nigro were outrageous and shocking and constituted willful and
malicious conduct for which punitive damages are applicable.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully requests this Honorable Court enter Judgment in
his favor in an amount in excess of the limits for compulsory arbitration, along with punitive
damages, costs, interest, and attorney's fees against Defendant Nigro as an individual and in
his capacity as a State Constable and in his capacity as a Police Officer for Newville
Borough.
Dated: - B 1 b Respectfully submitted,
ROMINGER & ASSOCIATES
Vincent M. Monfredo, Esquire
155 South Hanover Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Tel: (717) 241-6070
Fax: (717 241-6878
Supreme Court ID # 206671
Attorney for Plaintiff
VERIFICATION
I verify that I am the Petitioner and that the statements made in the foregoing Petition are
true and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C. S. § 4904, relating to unworn falsification to authorities.
Date: &c? )-010 Nathaniel Michael
SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Ronny R Anderson
Sheriff
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Jody S Smith
Chief Deputy
Edward L Schorpp
SOiICItOr
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Nathaniel Michael
vs. Case Number
Aaron Nigro 2010-1575
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
03/13/2010 09:18 AM -Robert Bitner, Deputy Sheriff, who being duly sworn according to law, states that on March 13,
2010 at 0915 hours, he served a true copy of the within Complaint and Notice, upon the within named
defendant, to wit: Aaron Nigro, by making known unto George Gale, adult in charge at 408 Limestone
Road, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17013 its contents and at the same time handing to hin•
personally the said true and correct copy of the same.
RO E T BITNER, D PUTY
SHERIFF COST: $39.24
March 15, 2010
SO ANSWERS,
RON ~ R ANDERSON, SHERIFF
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