Trial News

Teliah Perkins was arrested for alleged traffic offenses. During the arrest, two St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies forced Perkins to the ground, pressing her face into the pavement and digging their knees and elbows into her back and legs. Perkins’s minor son, De’Shaun Johnson, observed the entire incident—including his mother’s gasp that she was choking—and used his phone to record her arrest. One of the deputies, Ryan Moring, stepped in front of Johnson’s camera, shoved him in the chest, and aimed his Taser at Johnson. Johnson has since been diagnosed as having PTSD.

He sued Moring, alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress.

The jury awarded $185,000.

Citation: Perkins v. Hart, No. 21-879 (E.D. La. May 17, 2024).

Plaintiff counsel: Keith Y. Cohan, Austin, Texas; and Nora Ahmed, New Orleans.