Two days before Christmas, around midnight, London police were trying to execute a search warrant for stolen lawn equipment belonging to Laurel Judge-Executive David Westerfield. Earlier in the day, another man reportedly confessed to stealing it and gave the address where he said it could be found. London police showed up at a different address on the same road and killed 63-year-old Douglas Harless.
Ashley Abaray is one of the attorneys representing the family of Harless.
“We have a significant number of facts I think prove our case, show the failures by the London Police Department, both in their own standard operating procedures and generally, as a matter of constitutional rights.”
Defendants include the London Police Department, several officers, and the City of London. Body camera footage isn’t available because, in a cost-saving move, the department stopped using them the year before. Abaray said if police say they were defending themselves, they have a ready response.
“Number one, I don't believe Doug Harless shot any gun at all. There's no proof of that. Number two, he was in his own home. He was not doing anything wrong, and the fact of the matter is, London police had no right to be at his home. They had no right to execute a search warrant or do anything on that property.”
The suit asks for compensatory and punitive damages for the alleged violation of Harless’ constitutional rights and his wrongful death, with proceeds going to the daughters of Harless. The suit alleges officers knowingly or recklessly raided the wrong home, ignored obvious signs they were at the wrong address and acted outside their jurisdiction.
Kentucky State Police are handling the investigation. In a statement, a public information officer said, “The investigation remains open at this time, and to protect the integrity of the investigation, specific information will not be released.”
Shortly after his killing, a “Justice for Doug” movement began, featuring marches and candlelight vigils.
Family of Laurel County wrong-address police shooting victim files lawsuit
Justice for Doug FB page
