Jury Awards Former Fredericksburg Officer’s Victim $5.75M in Civil Suit

Record Verdict Obtained by Amos L. Barton, Of Counsel with The Carlson Law Firm

April 18, 2022, Fredericksburg, Texas — Jurors in a Gillespie County District Court returned a verdict of $5.75 million to the victim of former Fredericksburg police officer, Robert Metzger.  Attorney for the victim, Amos Barton, presented evidence from a four-year period of Metzger taking nude photographs of the unnamed victim without her consent or knowledge. 

Barton also presented evidence that Metzger posted the victim’s photos to pornography websites, secret messaging apps, and Craigslist using the photos as bait to solicit sexual partners. Metzger was sued under various invasion of privacy causes of action.  After a three-hour deliberation, the jury comprised of seven men and five women returned a verdict of $1M for past harm, $2M for future harms and $2.75M in exemplary damages. 

“During the investigative stage of the case, we were able to obtain an abandoned cell phone previously owned by Mr. Metzger. A forensic dump of the phone revealed numerous images and postings of the victim,”  Barton said.  “Together with recordings of Mr. Metzger’s partial confessions to the allegations, the jury found the evidence to be indisputable and in clear violation of my client’s privacy rights.”

In 2019, Metzger made local news after he was arrested and charged with seven counts of felony invasive visual recording. Metzger made a failed attempt to overturn his criminal indictment after a Texas appeals court ruled that the state’s “invasive visual recording” law was constitutional.

“I would like to express my gratitude to the jurors and the Court in this case,” Barton said. “With this verdict, this jury not only protected the rights of my client but also communicated the value we place on our rights to consent and privacy. It is extremely rewarding to see jurors actively engaged in protecting and defending their community.” 

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About Us

Amos Barton is an injury lawyer in Kerrville, Texas. Barton is known for assisting sexual assault victims in civil lawsuits. He is Of Counsel to The Carlson Law Firm. The Carlson Law Firm is a national personal injury law firm with 15 locations in Texas and one in Los Angeles. We are committed to providing exceptional legal services. Our firm handles a variety of personal injury cases, including wrongful death, auto collisions, trucking crashes, human trafficking, sexual assault and rape, motorcycle injuries and workplace injuries, as well as medical malpractice, defective products, dangerous drugs, nursing home neglect, offshore injuries, wrongful death and much more.

 

Media Contact: 

Kazia Conway
kconway@carlsonattorneys.com
254-526-5688