NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — On Friday, a Newport News Circuit Court judge heard arguments in a recently filed $30 million malicious prosecution civil lawsuit, involving a former Newport News police officer who was acquitted of sexual assault charges in 2022.
In 2020, Robert Jones was fired from the Newport News Police Department amidst a criminal investigation into sexual assault allegations dating back to 2008.
In a 2022 jury trial, Jones was found not guilty on two counts of rape, one count of sodomy, and four counts of indecent exposure. Another woman, Kristi Cline, was found not guilty on two counts of aggravated sexual battery.
In a recently filed lawsuit, Jones is suing the three NNPD officers involved with investigating the sexual assault claims, as well as Chief Steve Drew in his capacity as being in charge of the department.
The complaint alleges that all four defendants "caused Plaintiff, Robert Jones, to be charged with crimes that were lacking in probable cause," citing a lack of evidence, inconsistent statements by the accuser, and a failure to interview witnesses named.
The judge on Friday heard arguments over recently filed demurrer motions, plea and deal motions, and motion craving oyer by attorneys representing each of the defendants.
A demurrer, which is a legal term arguing that an opponent's point is irrelevant or invalid, was granted to the Newport News officer who worked on the internal affairs side of Jones' case. The judge allowed Jones' attorneys to amend their complaint to add additional language about the topic.
The facts of the 2022 criminal trial were also discussed for their relevance to the civil matter, too.
The judge asked attorneys on both sides to file additional briefs before making a decision sometime in the next several weeks.