Wilenchik & Bartness wins jury trial on a directed verdict.

Published on March 12, 2008

Dennis Wilenchik and Kathleen Rapp successfully defended Sheriff Arpaio from a meritless lawsuit brought by a former inmate who had been sentenced to serve 24 hours in Tent City for a DUI.  Patricia Dougherty brought suit after she fell while attempting to exit a 4 foot 7 inch bunk bed in the dark and alleged that the Sheriff was negligent in assigning her to a top bunk. Dennis Wilenchik moved for judgment at the close of trial and the Court ruled that there was no evidence of unreasonable action or inaction on the part of the Sheriff or his deputies and, as such, the matter could not go to the jury on the sole count of negligence. Judgment was awarded for Sheriff Arpaio as a matter of law.