By Isaac Donsky
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
A federal judge ruled Tuesday that the city of Baltimore owes a local woman half of her settlement money from a 6-year-old police brutality case.
Ashley Overbey Underwood was denied $31,500 of her police brutality settlement award after she responded to comments online about her experience, breaking a non-disclosure agreement set by the city.
“It’s been hurtful to see and hear so many horrible things that happened,” said Underwood, “but at the end of the day, it’s been amazing that we as a people stood together and was able to stand up to the bullies.”
The non-disclosure agreement that the city had placed on Underwood was ruled unconstitutional by a federal appeals court in 2019. The court ruled that the practice was a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Tuesday’s ruling was viewed as a victory by the ACLU of Maryland, who had represented Underwood during the case.
“This order finally brings about well-deserved resolution for Ms. Underwood,” said Legal Director Deborah Jeon of the ACLU of Maryland. “For too long Black people have had their free speech rights denied when they challenge abuse at the hands of the police.”
Joining Underwood as a plaintiff in the case was Baltimore Brew, a news organization that had been denied access to obtain public information from victims of police abuses. Crowell & Moring LLP represented the two in court.
‘With this result, which spanned several years of litigation, Ms. Ashley Overbey Underwood and the Baltimore Brew have struck a blow for free speech and greater transparency in policing in the City of Baltimore,” said Tyler O’Connor, pro bono counsel from the law firm.
Underwood had negotiated a $63,000 settlement with the city after suing three police officers who she said beat her and shot her with a stun gun when she reported a burglary in her home, according to the Baltimore Brew.
Baltimore City Police Commissioner Michael Harrison did not respond to requests for reaction by The Baltimore Watchdog.