Two women are suing the city of Bartlesville and four Bartlesville Police officers from two separate arrests.

 

Misty Armitage's arrest in April was met with community outrage. She was pulled over by Officer Reed Blackard for speeding towards the hospital with a bleeding grandchild. Video evidence in the case show Blackard and Officer Levi Johnson wrestling her out of the vehicle. Armitage has been charged with misdemeanor counts of eluding police and resisting an officer. The criminal case is still pending. Armitage's lawsuit against the city, Blackard and Johnson alleges false arrest and assault and battery.

 

Glenda Martin was pulled over by Blackard in May after she drove around a vehicle having mechanical problems near the intersection of Adams Road and Adams Boulevard. Blackard says Martin was driving under the influence and forced her to perform field sobriety tests, which she passed. Blackard says Martin had slurred speech and, according to the court document, used unnecessary force to place her under arrest for suspicion of a DUI. Martin took a blood test at the hospital, which came back negative, but she was placed in the Washington County jail overnight because she was not allowed to post bond the same day. The Washington County District Court found probable cause for Martin's arrest based on Blackard's affidavit, but the District Attorney's office declined to file charges based on the blood test results. Martin's booking photo was published and appeared online as being arrested for DUI. Martin's lawsuit against the city, Blackard and two unnamed Bartlesville police officers is alleging false arrest, assault and battery and defamation.

 

Armitage and Martin are seeking the courts to find the city, Blackard, Johnson and the two unnamed officers liable for damages. Armitage and Martin are each seeking $100,000 in damages plus and additional monetary damages for the legal action. No hearing date for the civil lawsuit has been set.