Motion denied in civil rights lawsuit against City of Salisbury

A federal judge has dismissed a motion to drop a civil rights lawsuit against the City of Salisbury University students.

That’s according to the students’ lawyer, Luke Rommel. He tells 47 ABC a jury trial is the next step in the case, but a date hasn’t been scheduled yet.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court, claims there is a systematic problem with the Salisbury Police Department and alleges Salisbury PD were targeting university students, arresting them for illegitimate reasons, and using unreasonable force.

Three of the students were arrested by officer Justin Aita last May. They were charged with failure to obey a reasonable and lawful order but were found not guilty.The fourth student never faced charges in the case.

Aita is no longer with the Salisbury Police Department.