By By Kerry Whipple Bean – publisher
A jury on Wednesday found in favor of the City of Brewton in a discrimination lawsuit filed by former police chief candidate Donnie Nunley.
Nunley, who is black, had charged in U.S. District Court in Mobile that city leaders in 2005 did not choose him for the police chief job because of his age and race.
The City of Brewton had been charged with discrimination based on age and race, and two council members - Henry Uptagraaft and Cary Barton - had been sued for discrimination on the basis of race. All of the defendants were cleared by the jury.
Jennings said Nunley and his attorneys had offered to settle the case, but the city wanted to go to trial.
Nunley's lawyer told the Mobile Press-Register last week that an appeal is unlikely in the case. Nunley had sought damages in the six-figure range.
City officials testified during the trial that they were impressed by McGougin's enthusiasm for the job and were not put off by Nunley's race or age - 58 at the time.