Reverse discrimination suit gets trial date

An Oct. 15 trial date was set Tuesday in a lawsuit by two city fire captains who alleged they were victims of reverse discrimination for being punished for lacing Firefighter Tennie Pierce’s meal with dog food in 2004.

In their complaint, John Tohill and Chris Burton said they had not known that dog food was put in Pierce’s meal. They also alleged in their complaint, filed in October, that Pierce initially told them he did not think it was a racial incident but later changed his story.

Pierce has sued the city, alleging racial harassment. That case is scheduled for trial next month.