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PAGE 2 ASSOCIATED NEWSPAPERS OF MICHIGAN August 24, 2023

INKSTER - WAYNE
INKSTER - WAYNE

Judge rules lawsuit against city will move on to trial

A federal judge has denied a granted. Those allegations will Nocerini and Strong and said
motion to dismiss the lawsuit now move forward through the ” “the allegations are sufficient to
filed against the City of Wayne, court system to trial. The judge said the defendants should establish the City's liability based
Police Chief Ryan Strong, Police Attorneys for both the city and have known their conduct violated Blackwell's on Strong's actions.”
Lt. Finley Carter and City Blackwell argued their case in a Those actions against
Manager Lisa Nocerini. hearing July 12. Blackwell claims clear First Amendment rights. Blackwell are included in a sepa-
In the ruling issued Aug 16, that following a 2018 independ- rate lawsuit filed by Wayne
Judge Shalina D. Kumar found ent investigation into Nocerini's Police Ofc. Abraham Hughes
merit in the charges of Wayne unusual activity in city hall he who claims he achieved higher
resident Mark Blackwell who was critical of her conduct dur- her at a public meeting and gath- council meetings is “exactly the test scores than Strong when
claims police were instrumental ing the public comment portion ering with others in the parking type of criticism of government applying for the chief's position.
in having him falsely charged of Wayne City Council meetings. lot of city hall following meetings and public officials that is pro- Hughes claims in his lawsuit that
with misdemeanor offenses of The report concluded with a rec- of the city council. tected by the First Amendment.” Strong agreed to Nocerini's insis-
stalking and disturbing the ommendation that Nocerini be The judge assigned to rule on The judge also ruled that tence on investigating and charg-
peace. He was subsequently disciplined and or terminated. those charges against Blackwell Blackwell's allegations plausibly ing Blackwell in exchange for
cleared of all charges in district Blackwell admits he was vocal found him not guilty. That judge show the defendant's retaliatory her circumventing the
court. His attorney alleges that regarding the findings during the found that Blackwell was “not motives in filing criminal charges announced hiring procedures
Blackwell was charged with the January 2019 meeting and advo- doing anything out of the norm” against him. She further deter- guaranteeing him the promotion
crimes as retaliation for his pub- cated Nocerini's termination. and that “there was no alleged mined that probable cause did to police chief.
lic criticism of Nocerini and that Blackwell repeatedly urged the conduct outside of city business not support the charges filed Strong and Nocerini have
both his First and Fourteenth council to take note of the resig- or outside of city property.” He against Blackwell. She found the denied Hughes’ claims and the
Amendment rights were violated nations of four city officials said stalking could not be proven allegation that Strong only inves- city claims Strong received the
by the defendants. including the police chief and because “it was not reasonable tigated and charged Blackwell highest test score. That lawsuit is
The latest court ruling denies personnel director during for a person to feel emotionally “to gain Nocerini's support to currently in the hands of the U.S.
the city request for a summary Nocerini's employment. distressed” by Blackwell's con- become the permanent police District Court.
judgment. In the ruling, the judge Blackwell claims that follow- duct. chief” plausible. Unconfirmed reports on
noted that as Blackwell had ing his public comments, In the latest court opinion, the Kumar also denied the city Tueday cliamed that Nocerini
already agreed to drop two of his Nocerini asked newly-appointed judge ruled that Blackwell had claim of “qualified immunity.” had resigned from her position.
claims, she would automatically acting Police Chief Ryan Strong alleged enough facts to support a The judge said the defendants City attorneys have also
grant the motion to dismiss those to pursue criminal charges claim for First Amendment retal- should have known their conduct attempted unsuccessfully to pre-
charges. The claim of First against him. She charged iatory prosecution against the violated Blackwell's clear First vent the disclosure of the inde-
Amendment retaliatory persecu- Blackwell was stalking her by defendants. She noted that Amendment rights. In addition, pendent report regarding
tion and municipal liability driving down Wayne Road two Blackwell's outspoken condem- she denied the claim of absolute Nocerini's conduct in both law-
against the city, however, were cars behind her, taking photos of nation of the city manager at city witness immunity claimed by suits.

Cruising the river

The first canoe trip on the Westland/Inkster section of the Lower Rouge River Water
Trail included several amateur paddlers. The Summer Magic Paddle Trip was organ-
ized by MetroParks and the rescheduled Friends of the Rouge Outdoor Afro Paddle
Trip was the maiden voyage on the Canton stretch of the water trail. Help in the effort
was provided by Huron-Clinton Metroparks, the Inkster Task Force, Simple
Adventures, National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, the City of Inkster and Wayne
County Parks. Outdoor Afro, Motor City Canoe Rental Rouge River Outpost and
Canton Township also provided help to ensure the water trip was a success. Friends of
the Rouge members were also on hand to make sure all the paddlers were safe.