Judge dismisses lawsuit against county prosecutor

A special judge has dismissed a lawsuit that Richmond Police Department Major Adam Blanton and the City of Richmond filed against Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman, ruling that Shipman acted within the scope of his legal duties when he placed Blanton on the county’s Brady-Giglio list.

Henry County Circuit Court Judge Bob A. Witham, appointed to oversee the case, issued the ruling following a June 12 hearing on Shipman’s motion to dismiss. The order found that Shipman and the prosecutor’s office were entitled to immunity, shielding them from liability related to the lawsuit’s claims.

Blanton filed suit last year after being placed on the list, which identifies law enforcement officers whose courtroom testimony could be challenged due to prior conduct. The Brady-Giglio designation, rooted in U.S. Supreme Court rulings, obligates prosecutors to disclose information that might affect an officer’s credibility.

Shipman cited two public statements made by Blanton — one on the Richmond Police Department’s Facebook page and another in a Palladium-Item newspaper article — as false and potentially misleading. Blanton, who also serves as the department’s public information officer, alleged the placement was “retaliatory” and that Shipman “exceeded and abused his authority.” The city later joined the lawsuit and hired an Indianapolis law firm, Bose McKinney & Evans, to represent both parties.

In his ruling, Judge Witham acknowledged the reputational impact of being placed on the Brady-Giglio list but found that Blanton had not suffered the type of constitutional harm required to move forward with the claims. Blanton remains with RPD.

Witham concluded that the act of designating officers under Brady-Giglio obligations is a “core prosecutorial function” and that Shipman is immune under both state and federal law.

“The lawsuit was frivolous,” Shipman said in a statement sent to WWN after the order was issued. “Assistant Chief Adam Blanton, Chief Kyle Weatherly and Mayor Ron Oler paid Indianapolis attorneys over $100,000 of Richmond taxpayer money only to lose the case. They should personally reimburse taxpayers and apologize for this wasteful spending.”

WWN has not been able to independently confirm the city’s legal fees related to the lawsuit.

Blanton did not comment on the court order itself. When asked if further legal action might be taken, he told WWN, “we’re evaluating all available options and remain focused on what best serves the department, the City of Richmond and the public we’re sworn to protect.”