A Texas police officer, Freddie Douglas, has filed a lawsuit against investigators for allegedly mishandling a rape accusation that led to his arrest and subsequent exoneration. The incident began when Douglas and his friend, John Marks, were accused of raping Marks' girlfriend, Amanda Zawieruszynski, at Marks' home in November 2023.
The lawsuit, filed by Douglas' attorney Mike Kerensky, claims that the sexual encounter was consensual, with Zawieruszynski willingly engaging in sexual activity with both men. The complaint details that the three individuals had met at Marks' home, where they had drinks and engaged in consensual activities, including sex in the pool.
Despite the consensual nature of the encounter, Zawieruszynski later went to the Manvel Police Department to report that she had been raped by Douglas and Marks. The lawsuit alleges that police ignored evidence, including surveillance footage from inside Marks' home, that would have exonerated the accused men.
According to the lawsuit, Douglas informed the arresting officers about the existence of the footage, but they proceeded with the arrest without investigating it. Subsequent footage shows officers discussing the evidence and raising doubts about the validity of the accusation.
The Manvel Police Department has refuted the claims made in the lawsuit, stating that all evidence, including exculpatory evidence, was presented to the district attorney's office and the grand jury. The charges against Douglas and Marks were eventually dropped after Douglas approached the Brazoria County district attorney, who confirmed that they would not have recommended charges if approached earlier.
Despite the exoneration, Douglas is seeking legal recourse for the mishandling of the case and the impact it had on his life. The lawsuit highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the proper consideration of all evidence in criminal cases.
