Accused Horse Puncher Suing Police, Philadelphia Eagles

PHILADELPHIA – A 20-year-old man accused of punching a Philadelphia Police horse and a mounted officer at the Philadelphia Eagles-Minnesota Vikings game on Jan. 21 outside Lincoln Financial field is suing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania State police and the Eagles, according to reports.

Andrew Tornetta, 20, of Montgomery County, and his attorney have filed a $50,000 civil lawsuit against police and the team for allegedly assaulting, defaming, and falsely imprisoning him following the incident.

The North Wales man was charged with resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, and failure to disperse at police orders after the playoff game in lot M5 outside the stadium after allegedly punching a police horse and a mounted officer.

Tornetta's charges have since been withdrawn after he completed the court's Accelerated Misdemeanor Program in March.

But according to Philly.com that isn't the end of it for Tornetta. The outlet reports the suit claims Tornetta suffers "physical pain, discomfort, trauma, humiliation, embarrassment" and other physical, emotional, and mental issues stemming from the incident.

The suit claims police lied about the events leading up to Tornetta's arrest, according to the Allentown Morning Call.

The outlet reports the specific defendant named in the case are Philadelphia Police Officer Paul Tinney, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Wesley Van Wyk, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eagles Stadium Operation and the Philadelphia Eagles Limited Partnership.

Image via Philadelphia Police