Former Cal U football player cleared of assault charges sues university, police, prosecutor

The prosecution of a former California University of Pennsylvania football player for the Oct. 30 group attack on a West Chester man violated the former player's civil rights, the Maryland man claims in a federal lawsuit filed Monday.

James Williamson, 21, of Parkville, Md., is suing the university, California Borough, police Officer Richard Encapera and Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone.

Williamson's lawyer, Scott Lautner, couldn't be reached for comment. Vittone, university spokeswoman Christine Kindl and the borough's solicitor, Thomas Agrafiotis, declined comment.

Williamson was one of six football players that California police charged with beating Lewis Campbell into unconsciousness. The lawsuit claims police and Vittone lacked probable cause to charge and prosecute him.

The lawsuit doesn't say what civil rights claim Williamson is making against the university.

Washington County Common Pleas Judge Gary Gilman dismissed the charges against Williamson on May 11. Two witnesses to the attack and a video show that Williamson didn't participate in the assault and there was no evidence that he agreed to the attack, the judge said.

“The testimony merely indicates an association between the defendant and the others charged, which is that the defendant arrived at the scene in the same car as the other defendants and left the scene in the same car with the other defendants,” the judge said.

Williamson is seeking compensatory and punitive damages.