LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A lawsuit filed this week in Louisville accuses local police and government officials of neglecting a serious assault case due to the victim’s race. Mary Spalding, 73, is seeking justice for a brutal attack she suffered in 2018, alleging racial discrimination in how her case was handled.
On December 17, 2018, Spalding was violently attacked in her own basement, an incident that left her severely injured. Despite managing to escape and call for aid, Spalding claims the investigation into her assault has been fraught with errors and indifference.
Initially, the case was assigned to Detective Deidre Mengedoht. However, the investigation stalled when Mengedoht tragically died in a vehicular accident just weeks later. The responsibility for Spalding’s case was then passed between detectives, leading to further delays and a lack of progress.
The lawsuit names five employees of the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), accusing them not only of negligence but of an outright conspiracy to violate Spalding’s civil rights. These allegations extend to the Metro Government as well, which is accused of failing to provide equal protection under the law by inadequately training and supervising its police force.
Spalding’s legal representative, Attorney Thomas Coffey, highlighted that after her case was continuously overlooked, Spalding herself reached out to a victim services specialist in August 2021, expressing her concern that her race was a factor in the poor handling of her case. Her fears have been supported by a report from the Louisville Office of Inspector General, which cited her situation as a severe example of institutional failure within the LMPD.
The ongoing issues with the investigation have not only impeded justice but have allowed the perpetrator of the assault to remain at large. Coffey argues that this failure endangers not just Spalding but the entire community.
As a result of these compounded errors and oversights, Spalding is now pursuing punitive damages against the involved officers and the Metro Government. She seeks compensation for her legal costs, a jury trial, and other applicable relief, as her fight for justice and peace of mind continues.
The case spotlights potential systemic issues within the Louisville Metro Police Department, especially concerning how assault cases are handled when the victim is a person of color. This lawsuit may compel a reevaluation of police procedures and training, aiming to ensure equal treatment and protection for all citizens under the law.