Basketball coaches sue Texas city

The lawsuit contends police engaged in racially discriminatory behavior when they detained coach Patricia Bibbs, her husband Ezell and assistant coach Vanetta Kelso on Nov. 16. All three, who are black, have said they believe race played a role in how they were treated.

"The city of Lubbock and its police department have known and tolerated ... the selection and retention of police officers who have exhibited racist attitudes toward African-Americans and other minorities," the lawsuit said.

The suit also contends police violated the constitutional rights of due process, equal protection and protection from unreasonable and illegal arrests, searches and seizures.

In addition, Kelso, who is pregnant, claims she was humiliated, embarrassed and threatened by an emergency worker at the University Medical Center at Texas Tech because she vomited. The worker threatened to stuff a towel in her mouth, the lawsuit said.

The Bibbses and Kelso had no comment on the suit, said Victoria L. Jones, a spokeswoman for the university in southeastern Virginia.

Their attorneys, including O.J. Simpson lawyer Johnnie L. Cochran, filed the suit in U.S. District Court for the northern district of Texas in Wichita Falls.

Named as defendants were the city of Lubbock; Lubbock Police Chief Ken Walker; police officers David Houser, Keith Jobe, Brian McNeill, R. Hearron and Mike Overland; and unknown employees of the Emergency Medical Services at University Medical Center.

Tony Privett, a spokesman for the city of Lubbock, said city officials haven't seen the lawsuit "and of course we cannot comment on something we haven't seen."

The $30 million in damages include $2.5 million for each plaintiff for past and future loss of wages, medical expenses, pain and mental anguish, plus punitive damages of $7.5 million for each plaintiff.

The Bibbses and Kelso were detained Nov. 16 outside a Lubbock Wal-Mart by officers responding to a customer's complaint that someone tried to scam her. The three were handcuffed and held for several hours.

Police studied security tapes from the store, determined that the Bibbses and Kelso had no contact with the shopper and said no charges would be filed.

04-20-99