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Judge sacks ex-inmate’s lawsuit against 3 deputies

Inmate alleged a deputy used excessive force while two others failed to protect him

Associated Press

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. — A judge has thrown out a federal lawsuit that accused three Madison County sheriff’s deputies of using excessive force against a former jail inmate.

The (Alton) Telegraph reports U.S. District Judge Michael Reagan dismissed 46-year-old Robert Baker-El’s suit.

Baker-El alleged he was housed in the Madison County jail in September 2011 when officers allegedly found him with a sharpened piece of plastic considered a possible weapon.

Baker-El alleged a deputy used excessive force while two others failed to protect him.

Madison County prosecutors alleged Baker-El lunged at one of the deputies and a struggle ensued.

Baker-El is serving a 29-year sentence for robbery and contraband possession.

An appointed attorney for Baker-El, Jonathan Fortman, says that while “the facts weighed so heavily against (Baker-El),” an appeal is planned.

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