Judge rules against Detroit in '08 gallery raid

DETROIT (AP) -- A federal judge says Detroit police violated the rights of many people who were arrested or searched during a raid at an art gallery four years ago. Police swarmed the Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit in May 2008 after they reported smelling marijuana and seeing illegal alcohol sales. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit on behalf of nine patrons, saying more than 100 people were illegally searched and arrested despite possessing no alcohol. Dozens of cars were also seized. Federal Judge Victoria Roberts says there's no evidence that all gallery patrons knew there was illegal activity. She says "mere presence" isn't enough to detain someone. The decision released Tuesday means Roberts will hold a trial to determine a financial award unless the city and ACLU reach a settlement. Published: Fri, Dec 7, 2012