Federal appeals court sides with Beaumont in Newman case

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a district judge’s ruling that the city of Beaumont should not be a defendant in the civil rights lawsuit of Derrick Newman against two police officers.

‘Zero Tolerance’ policy questioned in Newman appeal arguments

Whether a so-called “zero tolerance policy” instituted by the Beaumont Police Department in designated high-crime areas of the city led to the beating and Tasing of Derrick Newman in August 2007 was the the primary focus of oral arguments in Newman’s civil lawsuit before a federal appeals court Tuesday.

Burke and Guedry only defendants left in Newman civil suit

A federal judge has dismissed three of five Beaumont police officers named as defendants in a civil rights case stemming from the arrest of Derrick Newman during a late-night traffic stop on Aug. 24, 2007.

Beaumont police chief says department will rebound from setbacks

Beaumont Police Chief Frank Coffin told a media gathering Thursday that after the recent convictions of four officers, morale in the Beaumont Police Department may be in “a downward spiral,” but he expects it will rebound.

Guedry receives probation in Taser case

Beaumont police officer James Cody Guedry was sentencted to 30 days in state jail, probated for 90 days, Tuesday for official oppression stemming in connection with twice using a Taser against Derrick Newman on the night of Aug. 24, 2007, according to a court employee. Guedry was convicted by a Jefferson County jury in December.