A Jacksonville federal jury came down with a decision Friday evening in the case against the city and the former fire chief, Ray Alfred.
After nearly two days of deliberation, the jury ruled that the city and the former fire chief did discriminate in their promotion practices against four white firefighters.
The lieutenants sued Alfred and the city of Jacksonville, contending that Alfred, who is black, denied them captain's positions because they did not reflect cultural diversity in the fire department.
Attorneys wrapped up closing arguments Thursday in the case.
In instructing the jury, U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan asked them to consider two questions:
- Was the plaintiff's race a substantial or motivating factor for not creating four new rescue chief positions? If they decide it was, they would find in favor of the firefighters.
- Did the defendant, Alfred, not approve those positions for reasons not considering race? If they answer yes to that question, they find in favor of the city.
The suit was seeking between $10,000 and $90,000 in lost wages and benefits, as well as money for pain and suffering. The verdict awarded Lt. George Williams $58,525, Lt. Michael Perryman $60, 642, Michael Price $87,535, and Judy Sauls, wife of deceased Lt. Nolen Sauls, $19,828.
No money was rewarded for pain and suffering.
"It was definitely a roller coaster ride," said attorney Scott Fortune. "But we had faith and we were all trying to be accepting of whatever was going to happen. We're extremely happy and grateful."
When asked whether he felt having an all-white jury affected the verdict, Fortune said he thought it made it more difficult for the jury to favor the plaintiffs because it might look as if they were discriminating.
Defense attorney Ernst Mueller also said he believed the all-white jury played a role in the outcome of the case. Mueller said the defense tried to get some black jurors on the jury, but they couldn't agree with the plaintiffs on any of the possible black jurors.
Previous Stories:
- March 1, 2006: Firefighter Tells Jury He Heard Former Fire Chief Use Racial Slur
- February 22, 2006: Firefighters Bring Federal Suit Against Jacksonville
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