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Finley, Crostley file lawsuit
By Bill Hankins
The Paris News
Published January 27, 2010
Two men charged in the 2008 death of Brandon McClelland then later released when the charges were dropped have filed a federal lawsuit seeking millions in damages.
Ryan Crostley and Shannon Finley contend Lamar County, District Attorney investigator Chris Brooks, Texas Department of Public Safety trooper Stacy McNeal and special prosecutor Toby Shook caused false imprisonment and were involved in malicious prosecution that damaged both Finley and Crostley.
The plaintiffs in the suit are asking $1 million on each of four separate counts, attorney fees and all court costs.
The investigation began shortly after 4 a.m. Sept. 16, 2008, when McClelland’s severely damaged body was found on Farm Road 2648 in Lamar County.
Investigators first thought it was a hit-run accident, then zeroed in on Finley and Crostley, who were last seen with McClelland.
The investigation turned to Finley’s truck, impounded for forensic tests.
Finley and Crostley were arrested and spent more than six months in the Lamar County Jail before all charges were dropped after a gravel truck driver came forward with information he may have been the one that struck McClelland.
The lawsuit contends the small Dodge Dakota truck that belonged to Finley could not have done the damage to McClelland’s body without more severe damage to the truck than was evident.
Attorney Michael Mosher of Paris filed the suit Wednesday on behalf of Finley and Crostley with the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas in Texarkana.
The plaintiffs state in the lawsuit there was no significant evidence against them, but they were subjected to months in jail, defamation and untrue accusations despite the fact there was no evidence.
Defendants in the lawsuit could not be reached for comment earlier today.
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