Abused Wife Wins $2.3 Million From Negligent Police
Jurors convinced that police did not do enough to protect an abused wife from her husband awarded $2.3 million to the scarred and partially paralyzed woman and $300,000 to her son today in a landmark case.
“I hope other women will be helped,” said Tracey Thurman, 24, on hearing the decision. “Now maybe the police will do their jobs right.”
Thurman sought $3.5 million in compensatory damages from the city of Torrington and 29 present and former police officers, contending they failed to protect her from her husband despite her numerous complaints of harassment and threats.
The case marked the first time a federal judge permitted a wife to sue on the ground that she was afforded less police protection against her husband than she would have received if a stranger had threatened her.
Thurman’s husband stabbed her 13 times and kicked her head June 10, 1983. Charles Thurman, 23, is now serving a 15-year prison term for the assault.
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