THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160419
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN JOLLY DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: EASTVILLE LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
A drug informer alleges he was beaten severely by fellow prisoners in the Northampton County Jail after authorities ignored a judge's order to move him to another jail if he was threatened.
In a suit filed in U.S. District Court Friday, James Seyton Caccioppo of Machipongo says he was beaten last May 31. His jaw was broken in three places and he was left lying in a pool of his own blood.
Caccioppo's suit states that his testimony helped the Northampton commonwealth's attorney get a conviction in a drug case. The judge in a burglary case against Caccioppo directed that he be moved to the Accomack County Jail should there be continued threats.
The suit names Northampton County, Sheriff Wayne Bradford, Deputy Larry Stevens and inmate Stanley Collins.
Caccioppo is asking for $3 million in compensatory damages against each of the defendants, and $3 million in punitive damages against all but Northampton County.
Bradford said Wednesday he had not seen the suit and could not comment on it.
However, he said: ``This happens to sheriffs around the state, around the clock. Lawyers advertise across the Bay and everybody thinks they can get money. I've been here eight years and nobody's won one yet.''
Northampton County Attorney Bruce Jones said: ``I feel extremely bad about what happened to Jimmy Caccioppo and I'm sure the sheriff does, too. At the same time, Northampton County and the sheriff's office haven't done anything wrong. We'll turn it over to our insurance carriers and hope that they give us an adequate defense.''
Collins was convicted in November 1994 for his part in the jailhouse attack.
A suit represents only one side of a story. An answer has not been filed.
KEYWORDS: ASSAULT NORTHAMPTON COUNTY JAIL by CNB