Jury Begins Deliberations in Lloyd Harbor Lawsuit

With both sides resting their cases, the jury began deliberations Thursday morning in the civil case against the village of Lloyd Harbor. Lifelong resident Jeff Bartels, 53, is suing the village and its police force for $10 million, claiming they violated his civil rights and deliberately  intimidated him when he spoke at village meetings.

Bartels, who filed the suit in 2008 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District, says all he is concerned about are unsafe conditions in the village, according to his attorney Andrew Campanelli. Two situations he mentioned are clogged storm drains near his home and dangerous driving conditions on the causeway between Lloyd Neck and Lloyd Harbor.

He has also accused the police of trying to arrest him for taking pictures of the causeway, and claims village officials brought police officers to village meetings he attended to try and intimidate him. The village has defended their actions, saying they "acted with a good conscience."

Campanelli says he hopes the jury reaches a verdict soon. "I'm on pins and needles myself."