Lexington Woman Sues Savannah for Police Brutality

Nearly a year after being pepper-sprayed and beaten by police last St. Patrick's Day weekend, a Lexington woman has sued the City of Savannah claiming its police force used excessive force after responding to a fight on a city street. (See attached video — NSFW)

"Patricia C. Shields, 23, of Lexington, S.C., … filed suit in Chatham County State Court for damages stemming from what she contends was intentional and malicious conduct that “caused her to be in reasonable fear of imminent bodily harm” during the arrest early March 20," according to a report by The Savannah Morning News.

Shields' suit claims damages in excess of $500,000, the paper said.

Shields  “at no time” acted inappropriately, behaved aggressively toward the officers “or otherwise presented a danger to herself or anyone around her.” In response “one or more officers … unreasonably and without justification pepper sprayed” Shields, the suit alleges.

Shields was arrested in the incident. According to the paper, she "pleaded guilty in absentia and had a charge of obstruction reduced to disorderly conduct, city ordinance violation, and a 12-month sentence for public drunkenness suspended. …"

Two other Lexington residents also were arrested and charged in the incident.