The father of a slain Chattanooga man filed a second federal lawsuit against the Chattanooga Police Department and former Detective Karl Fields on Monday, alleging Fields made up charges against him and fabricated evidence after he questioned Fields' investigation.
Gary Taylor's son Antonio, 28, was killed in 2010 during a shooting at his Juandale Trail home. According to the complaint, Fields was assigned as lead investigator on the case. Gary Taylor, who lives in Atlanta and is representing himself, told the Times Free Press in 2014 that Fields failed to talk to witnesses and didn't collect bullet casings from the crime scene.
Fields was fired from the department in April after an internal affairs hearing found him responsible for conduct unbecoming an officer and neglect of duty. A woman who was the victim of a sexual assault that Fields was investigating accused him of sexually harassing her during the course of the investigation. The victim in that case also filed a civil lawsuit against the city and Fields.
Taylor said he brought his concerns to former Mayor Ron Littlefield and to the police department, but they fell on deaf ears. In the complaint, he writes that he wanted to "warn city officials of the potential dangers Detective Karl Fields posed to the public." This enraged Fields, Taylor wrote, and prompted him to seek retribution.
In December 2012, police took out a warrant against Taylor on a charge of harassment. Taylor says those charges were fabricated in an attempt to hurt him.
But Fields' attorney, Jerry Tidwell, said Taylor's behavior was unreasonable and forced Fields' hand.
"He undermined the investigation into his own son's death by harassing witnesses and potential targets of the investigation," Fields said.
Karl Fields testifies during a hearing in Judge Don Poole's courtroom in Chattanooga.Fields said Taylor texted him so much that he couldn't do his job, and that he sent him threatening and racial messages. The charges against Taylor were ultimately dropped after a two-year legal battle, and Taylor's record was expunged.
Taylor insists that Fields fabricated evidence and once called him drunk to ask "what is the best strip club to visit?" He also points to the police department's previous internal affairs investigations into Fields. Fields was investigated four times between 2004 and 2014, but the only case that resulted in disciplinary action came from a 2012 incident in which Fields was charged with DUI after crashing his car and at first pretending the incident was the result of a carjacking.
Fields was suspended for 14 days without pay. Taylor says that wasn't enough.
"If that would have been done right, I wouldn't have been in a position to be arrested for a crime I didn't do," Taylor said.
In the complaint, Taylor also alleges the department "has a pattern of overlooking or providing excuses and reasons to justify the misconduct of its officers and civilian employees in order to retain, promote, and/or rehire officers who show a pattern of misconduct "
Taylor points to incidents involving other officers, including the DUI and domestic assault charges against another investigator, David Catchings Jr., as further evidence of that pattern. He said the city, the police department and Fields were working together to deprive him of his constitutional rights.
Taylor alleges he's had health problems and emotional distress because of Fields' behavior, and is asking for $2.2 million in damages.
Tidwell, on the other hand, said the complaint won't hold up.
"It's unfortunate for Mr. Taylor and his son. Obviously this is a tragedy," Tidwell said. "Mr. Taylor created this universe, and he has to live with it."
Antonio Taylor's slaying remains unsolved.
Staff writer Shelly Bradbury contributed to this story.
Contact staff writer Claire Wiseman at cwise man@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6347. Follow her on Twitter @clairelwise man.