A hearing has been scheduled to consider the Wayne County prosecutor’s request for dismissal of a lawsuit filed against him by a Richmond Police Department major.
Judge Bob A. Witham will consider Prosecutor Mike Shipman’s dismissal motion at 10:45 a.m. June 12 in Henry County Circuit Court 1. Witham was appointed special judge in the case.
RPD Major Adam Blanton filed the lawsuit against Shipman after the prosecutor placed Blanton on the county’s Brady/Giglio list. The list identifies law enforcement officers whose court testimony could be discredited by their prior actions. Shipman identified two statements made by Blanton, who is RPD’s public information officer, claiming they were false.
Blanton sued for damages, saying Shipman “exceeded and abused his authority” and that the placement was retaliatory against Blanton. Shipman’s motion claims that he has immunity against the lawsuit’s claims because placing Blanton on the Brady/Giglio list was a prosecutorial function.
A version of this article appeared in the May 21 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.