Lawsuit Filed Against the City of Youngstown, Police Officers, Dispatchers and North Side Bar in deadly domestic violence case
Kisling, Nestico & Redick alleges wanton and reckless misconduct, lack of due process by the City, its officers and dispatchers after woman was beaten to death by her husband
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio, March 20, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The personal injury law firm Kisling, Nestico & Redick (KNR) along with Vasvari Zimmerman as co-counsel have filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio on behalf of LaDawnda Smith, the administrator of the estate of Ryan Weaver-Hymes, against the city of Youngstown, several Youngstown police officers and dispatchers, and Topsy's Lounge.
38-year-old Ryan Weaver-Hymes died last February, two days after she was beaten to death by her husband, Jason Hymes, outside a tavern and later at their home on Almeda Avenue.
The lawsuit filed Wednesday says the couple was served alcohol at Topsy's Lounge on Logan Avenue before Weaver-Hymes was beaten outside the bar. Then, the couple returned to their home where the mother was beaten again. Ryan's young daughter called 911 twice to report the incident. Officers arrived after the first call but stayed only four minutes even though Ryan was visibly beaten, there was blood on Jason's clothing and there was blood on the side and inside of the truck.
46-year-old Jason Hymes continued to beat his wife after officers left and Ryan's daughter called 911 again. However, police were not sent back to the house since a dispatcher was instructed not to dispatch anyone since "it is not illegal for people to argue." Weaver-Hymes died as a result of trauma sustained to her head on February 15, 2019 at St. Elizabeth Hospital. Jason Hymes was sentenced in October and is serving 23 years to life in prison.
"We try to help families accomplish something good out of something very, very bad that has happened to them," said Nomiki Tsarnas. "In this case, a young daughter is now without her mother due to police ignoring evidence. We hope through this tragedy the city and police will reexamine their policies and we can at least bring about change that will prevent this from happening again."
LaDawnda Smith is asking for a trial by a jury and at least $5 million in damages from each of the ten defendants.
For more information about information about KNR, visit knrlegal.com or call 1-800-HURT-NOW.
About Kisling, Nestico & Redick: Kisling, Nestico & Redick provides sophisticated injury law representation to clients throughout Ohio. The firm has gained a reputation as one of the state's leading personal injury firms due to a combination of personal service, inside knowledge of the insurance industry, and extensive legal experience. Founded in 2005, the firm has 11 locations, 35+ attorneys and 100+ support staff dedicated to seeking justice for victims injured in accidents.
SOURCE Kisling, Nestico & Redick
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