Bo Gower’s family sues Massillon, claiming death was due to police brutality
MASSILLON – The city is facing a lawsuit in federal court accusing it of police brutality, wrongful death and other allegations related to the arrest of a resident during a domestic dispute in March 2023.
The arrest of Lowell “Bo” Gower Jr. by several Massillon police officers in his apartment in the 1000 block of 10th Street NE caused severe injuries to his cervical spine and ultimately led to his death, the complaint states.
Angela Gower, Bo Gowler’s widow, filed a lawsuit on Monday on behalf of the family estate in U.S. District Court in Akron.
The police’s actions resulted in Bo Gower suffering from the injuries he sustained during his arrest for months, the lawsuit says. Among other things, he could no longer move his limbs. He died on June 2, 2023 at the age of 58 in a hospital in Canton.
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“Bo suffered pain, anguish, mental and emotional harm, and death, as well as a loss of his dignity and rights under the U.S. Constitution,” the lawsuit states.
In addition to police brutality, the lawsuit also seeks damages for excessive use of force, culpable homicide and withholding of public records.
The Gower family is seeking at least $75,000 in damages and an unspecified punitive damages. Bo Gower’s mother and three children are also named as plaintiffs.
Bo Gower’s lawyer speaks about his arrest by Massillon police
Akron attorney John Pfleiderer of the Mendenhall Law Group said the $75,000 amount is the minimum amount required to file a lawsuit in federal court.
“We will be demanding millions in damages,” Pfleiderer said, adding that the case casts “a very bad light on Massillon.”
“There is no excuse for throwing a 58-year-old handcuffed man to the ground during an arrest,” Pfleiderer said. “If necessary, we will take this to court.”
The 13-page lawsuit alleges, among other things, that the city of Massillon and Police Chief Jason Saintenoy were negligent in the hiring, training, employment and supervision of the officers involved, who are not named in the court filing. The chief and officers are listed as defendants.
“As a direct and proximate cause of the defendant’s actions, Bo suffered physical injury, pain and suffering, and ultimately death,” the complaint states.
Massillon has time to respond to the Gower family’s complaint
Massillon Law Director Justin Richard said via text message Tuesday that the city would be given at least 30 days to respond to the federal complaint.
“This was a tragic incident for everyone involved,” said Richard. “The City of Massillon would like to extend our sincere condolences to the Gower family.”
The city is preparing to defend itself against the lawsuit, Richard added.
“The evidence speaks for itself and the city will defend itself in its filings,” he said.
Saintenoy said Tuesday he was familiar with the incident between the officers and Bo Gower, but had not yet read the entire complaint.
Reach Steven at [email protected]. On X: @sgrazierINDE
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