Lawsuit Claims Arkansas Trooper Used Excessive Force

According to the lawsuit, Allan Ray went to the Howard County jail in Nashville to post bond for an employee who'd been arrested April 28, 2007. While sitting with his wife and the employee in the waiting area, Ray reportedly said, "The badge weighs heavy on some of these young troopers," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claims that Trooper John Lynch was so offended that he arrested Ray on suspicion of disorderly conduct and public intoxication. Ray's attorney claims that his client was not drunk, and that the trooper also used pepper spray on Ray.

The Arkansas Attorney General's Office, which is representing Lynch, declined to comment on the suit.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)