MCKINNEY, Texas — The U.S. Supreme Courtroom Monday declined to listen to the case of a former McKinney girl looking for compensation after a SWAT group “destroyed” her residence whereas pursuing a wished man in 2020.
The lady, Vicki Baker, petitioned the Supreme Courtroom earlier this yr. Baker’s case started in July 2020, after a contractor and handyman Baker knew broke into her former residence off of Vista Verde Path after kidnapping a 15-year-old lady and barricaded himself inside, whereas Baker was not residence, as WFAA reported on the time. The McKinney residence was available on the market on the time and its sale was on the verge of being finalized.
Baker’s relative referred to as 911 and escaped whereas the armed man, recognized as Wesley Little, remained within the residence. McKinney police surrounded the house and negotiated with Little, who complied however wouldn’t give up. SWAT made its approach inside utilizing tear fuel canisters and broke doorways and a fence, Baker alleges. Baker stated the house sustained about $60,000 value of harm.
Her insurance coverage firm and the town declined to cowl the injury, so in March 2021, she sued. In April 2022 she gained a partial abstract judgment on the district courtroom stage and, in June 2022, a federal jury dominated she was entitled to almost $60,000 in damages. However, after the town appealed that call, in October 2023 a panel of the fifth Circuit reversed the decrease courtroom’s resolution. The complete Fifth Circuit Courtroom of Appeals declined to re-hear the case in February.
“I hoped the Supreme Courtroom would take up my case, so what occurred to me would by no means occur to anybody else, so it’s disappointing that they determined to not hear it,” stated Vicki in a press release. “If police can destroy my residence and depart me with the invoice, it might probably occur to anybody.”
Though the Supreme Courtroom’s resolution is the ultimate phrase on Vicki’s declare underneath the U.S. Structure, the Institute for Justice, a nonprofit legislation agency representing Baker, says she nonetheless has a declare underneath the Texas Structure, and they’re going to proceed to symbolize her.
A GoFundMe has been established for Baker. Anybody wishing to donate can accomplish that right here.
