By Scott Harvey
Texarkana – Changes have been ordered in the lawsuits filed by Ryan Crostley and Shannon Finley, who are seeking millions in damages after being charged with the murder of a Paris man, before being cleared on all counts six months later.
The plaintiffs contend Lamar County, District Attorney Investigator Chris Brooks, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Stacy McNeal and special prosecutor Toby Shook caused false imprisonment and were involved in malicious prosecution that damaged both Finley and Crostley.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas has ordered Lamar County to be dropped from the case, and gave the plaintiff's attorney until August 20 to re-plead.
Crostley and Finley were charged in the 2008 death of Brandon McClelland then later released when the charges were dropped.
Each is seeking $1 million on each of four separate counts, attorney fees and all court costs.