Ex-prosecutor accused of scuffling with trooper awaits 2 other trials

Sunday, Oct. 31, 1999 | 9:46 a.m.

A Washoe District Court trial is set to begin Tuesday in a civil suit accusing former Chief Deputy District Attorney David Stanton of false imprisonment, assault and other charges in a 1996 run-in with another motorist in Reno.

Stanton, 39, also awaits a Dec. 6 trial in Downieville, Calif., over an Aug. 28 speeding ticket in Sierra County, Calif.

Stanton resigned at the request of District Attorney Richard Gammick, who alluded to other brushes with the law before Stanton's alleged scuffle with the trooper Wednesday in Carson City.

In his civil suit, Timothy Scott accuses Stanton of blocking him from changing lanes on Reno's Mill Street and confronting him at a stoplight after Scott made an obscene gesture at him.

Waving what appeared to be a police badge, Stanton yelled, "You're going to jail," Scott claims.

Scott drove away with Stanton in pursuit and was soon stopped by Nevada Highway Patrol troopers, who cited him for making an unsafe lane change, driving without a license in his possession and littering at Stanton's insistence, the lawsuit claims.

Scott was only convicted of the unsafe lane charge at a trial, but the judge reversed the conviction and dismissed the case five days later, according to the lawsuit.

Scott is seeking more than $150,000 in damages.

Dan Hayward, Stanton's lawyer, refused to discuss the case other than to say his client is not liable.

In the California case, Stanton was cited for riding his motorcycle 65 mph in a 55 mph zone on Highway 89 north of Truckee, Calif. Stanton asked for a trial and a Dec. 6 trial was set.

In the Carson City case, Stanton has admitted to speeding on his motorcycle but denied resisting arrest as the NHP alleges.

The NHP said Stanton was clocked doing 67 mph in a 25 mph zone. Stanton claimed he was doing more like 50 in a 35.

Carson City District Attorney Noel Water said he's still reviewing the case to determine whether to file charges.

Stanton handled many high-profile cases during his 11-year career with the office, including that of Siaosi Vanisi, who was recently convicted in the hatchet slaying of a University of Nevada, Reno police officer.