Charlotte police lawsuit going to federal court

CHARLOTTE, NC (AP) — A federal court will consider a lawsuit
filed by two women who say they were sexually assaulted by a former
Charlotte police officer during a traffic stop.

The Charlotte Observer reported the lawsuit against
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police had been filed in February in North
Carolina Superior Court.

Former officer Marcus Jackson pleaded guilty in December and was
sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting six women
while on duty in 2009.

The newspaper reported the two sides were unable to reach a
settlement. Other cases against Jackson and the city have been
settled without trial. The city has spent more than $617,000 to
defend and settle the other claims.

City Attorney Mac McCarley and the attorney for the woman, Brad
Smith, have not disclosed more details about settlement
negotiations.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)