Suit against Grand Junction cops in federal court

By The AP
Thursday, July 22, 2010

DENVER — A lawsuit against the Grand Junction Police Department by a woman who says she was raped by an officer has been moved to federal court in Denver.

The woman filed the lawsuit in Mesa County in June, but the case was transferred today to U.S. District Court. The Associated Press doesn’t name sexual assault victims.

The woman says she was raped in her home last year by officer Glenn Coyne. She is suing the city of Grand Junction, claiming the police department knew that Coyne had a tendency of violence against women.

Coyne was arrested on charges of first-degree sexual assault and first-degree burglary. He shot and killed himself last October.

A city spokeswoman declined to comment on the lawsuit.