By KENNEDY GRIFFIN
(Greenfield, MA) The City of Greenfield and Police Chief Robert Haigh filed a motion for a new trial in the case of Patrick Buchanan v. City of Greenfield. On Thursday, September 29th, Judge Mark Mason issued his decision to deny the motion for a new trial.
Judge Mason wrote, “On May 6, 2022, after a four week trial, over which I presided, the jury returned a verdict finding Greenfield and Haigh liable for discrimination on the basis of race and retaliation.” Upon review, “There was no error or miscarriage of justice.”
According to the judge’s statement, the City based their motion for a new trial on six issues, one of which is sealed, and all of the issues were raised at trial or could have been. The five unsealed issues raised by the City were “Admission of Evidence Regarding Confederate Flag,” “Allowing Dodge to testify to his understanding of statements made by Haigh,” “Reprimanding defense attorney and not immediately giving instruction to jury to disregard,” “Providing jurors with a revised verdict slip and a supplemental instruction,” “Questioning of Juror #33;” all of which the judge found no miscarriage of justice.
“Evidence of Buchanan’s treatment, compared to that of white officers, when coupled with other evidence, amply supported the jury’s verdict that the real reason for Buchanan’s discipline and lack of promotion was racial animus.”
Buchanan has 14 days following the denial for the motion to file a request for fees and costs that may have occurred post-trial and the City has 14 days to file their opposition of Buchanan’s request.
The judge’s “Memorandum Of Decision And Order On Defendants’ Motion For New Trial” can be found here. All documents related to this case may be found here.