The latest update on the Dartavius Barnes Lawsuit is that Dartavius Barnes has been indicted on aggravated battery of a peace officer. The indictment stems from a traffic stop in April 2022, where police officers found Barnes in possession of a sealed urn containing the ashes of his daughter, Ta’Naja Barnes. According to police reports, Barnes became agitated when officers asked him about the urn and allegedly struck an officer in the arm while being restrained.
Barnes is currently awaiting trial on the aggravated battery charge. He is also still suing the city of Springfield and the Springfield Police Department for the alleged desecration of his daughter’s ashes. The lawsuit alleges that the officers violated Barnes’ Fourth Amendment rights by searching his vehicle without a warrant and by dumping out his daughter’s ashes. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages and attorney’s fees.
The case is currently in the discovery phase, and no trial date has been set. It is likely that the case will be closely watched by the public, as it raises important questions about the use of force by police officers and the rights of grieving parents.
