Corpun file 19388

The Monahans News, Texas, 30 April 1998

Police Chief sues ex-coach

Monahans Police Chief Charles Sebastian and wife Shirley have sued ex-Lobo Head Football Coach Winfred (Windy) C. Williams and the Monahans-Wicket-Pyote school district on behalf of their son.

The case involves the beating, according to the suit, of the Sebastian's child in violation of school district policies.

According to the suit, the child who was beaten "suffered, and suffers, learning disabilities."

Williams was terminated at the school district in July by mutual agreement between him and district officials. He surrendered his contract on payment of $56,618.96.

Williams is now a resident of Panhandle, a town in Carson County. Attempts to reach Williams for comment were unsuccessful.

Attorney Robert R. Sykes of Midland filed the suit on behalf of the Sebastians in the 143rd Judicial District Court at Monahans. In the suit, the Sebastians charge Williams beat their son on Nov. 20, 1996.

According to the petition: ". . .Winfred Williams intentionally and recklessly administered corporal punishment on Seth Sebastian. Defendant Williams administered such punishment in a manner that caused physical and emotional distress for plaintiffs."

Lawyer Sykes seeks damages to be set by the court plus exemplary damages. Exemplary damages are punitive damages, which in Texas civil law, generally are triple the actual damages found by a court trying the case. Sykes says he cannot comment on pending litigation.

According to the court petition: "Winfred Williams knew that he was not following corporal punishment procedures set forth in the school district policy manual and that the punishment he administered Seth Sebastian was unduly harsh."

More from the petition: "The defendant's conduct was extreme and outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency, as to be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.

". . .Defendant Williams knew these things as he knew that the board he used to inflict injuries on Set Sebastian would cause severe injuries." The suit notes the Sebastians have been "forced to engage the services of, and incur expenses, in order to visit a psychotherapist to assist them in dealing with their overwhelming feelings of indignation, wounded pride, shame, despair and public humiliation."

Copyright 1998 by Ward Newspapers, Inc.