Kystie's Best Defense
Donation protected
It is tragic how one person’s irrational and unlawful actions can destroy the peaceful lives of others.
My name is Sergeant William Halbig with the Aurora Police Department. I am a Firearms and Physical Tactics Instructor as well as the President of Laughery Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 146. I am attempting to raise money for Kystie, a young mother, who is being sued for what I would consider legal actions. The lawsuit involves both Kystie and the Officer involved. However the Officer is covered by his department as well as the FOP Legal Defense Fund. I can not release all the details of the case but as you will read you will find her actions were nothing less than heroic. Kystie is courageous and her actions saved a life and she should be commended but instead she is being sued. Here is a glimpse of what happened that day.
On February 20, 2017 a suspicious person prompted a call to 911 in Ohio County, Indiana. The suspicious person was parked in a elderly persons yard for an extended period of time, blocking her driveway, and creating a road hazard. Shortly after a Police Officer arrived in response to the call. The man began resisting and both the Officer and man went to the ground. A young woman (Kystie)standing nearby on her property ran to help the Officer. Kystie could see the Officer was loosing the fight as this man reached for the Officers gun. Fortunately for the Officer, Kystie was armed and shot the man one time which ended the fight.
Indiana State Police conducted the investigation, which was reviewed by the Dearborn County, Indiana Prosecutors Office, and the findings were that Kystie’s actions were deemed justified and no criminal charges were filed.
However, On April 6, 2018, Kystie received a summons from Blake R Maislin LLC, (Thomas J Dall, Attorney at Law) regarding a wrongful death lawsuit for the assailant, J. Holland. Ohio County Superior Court Case No.:58C01-1802-CT-00001. The Officer involved was also named in the suit.
I am asking our community of citizens and law enforcement Officers to help in this legal battle. Attorney fees are an expense well beyond Kystie’s income and this will not be a quick process. The legal fees and emotional stress may drain every resource she has. I have pledged that any funds received above the cost of her legal defense, will be donated to charities; specifically, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the FOP Police Benevolent Fund.
UPDATE 4/17/2018: We have increased the goal of this account to reflect the amount of recoverable damages that could be assessed against Kystie in this "wrongful death" lawsuit if the plaintiffs win, but we emphasize that these funds will NOT be used to settle the case - they are only to pay for Kystie's choice of defense counsel and to protect her from an adverse verdict. We fully expect Kystie to win this frivolous case and distribute the balance above her attorneys' fees to charity as discussed above This lawsuit will hopefully change the way the law is and help create a situation where people can, in good faith, help others without being sued. Kystie’s attorney is The Law Offices of Guy A. Relford
One South Rangeline Road
Suite 110
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) [phone redacted] (office)
This case is about more than the right or wrong of one party suing another. Imagine not being able to come to the aid of another person for fear of being sued, possibly to the point of bankruptcy. The case is about a person having the basic God-given right and the 2nd Amendment right to defend both yourself and others and without the fear of civil retribution.
Perhaps the worst choice we make, is not to protect our family, ourselves, or others when confronted with life threatening situations when we clearly have the power to do so.
The person in harm’s way needs to have faith that someone may come to their rescue in that moment of extreme need without fear of retribution.
Generally, these civil actions are initiated by a contingency fee law firm who essentially works for a percentage of the settlement or judgement. Whether that is fair or not is certainly debatable, but the emotional and mental drain on the person being sued is quite unfathomable. More than that, the defendant is forced to pay for their own representation while there are usually no monetary consequences for those filing the suit.
Below are Media links to this incident.
Armed woman shoots, kills suspect attacking conservation officer
www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/armed-woman-shoots-kills-suspect.../1064765545
Feb 21, 2017 - RISING SUN, IN (WLWT) A man involved in a confrontation with an Indiana conservation officer has died after being shot by a witness. Indiana State Police said the incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Monday about 10 miles west of Rising Sun. According to the Ohio County Sheriff's Office, the officer was ...
Police ID man shot, killed by witness after confrontation with officer
www.wlwt.com/article/police-id-man-shot-killed-by-witness-after.../8956707
Feb 20, 2017 - A witness shot a man involved in a confrontation with an Indiana conservation officer, officials said Monday. ... Police ID man shot, killed by witness after confrontation with officer ... According to the Ohio County Sheriff's Office, the officer was responding to reports of a suspicious person in the area.
Investigation continues after bystander shoots man fighting with officer
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/...woman-shoots-kills...indiana.../98176608/
Feb 20, 2017 - Police are continuing to investigate after a Rising Sun woman shot and killed a man Monday who was fighting with an Indiana Conservation Officer. ... Once the investigation is complete, the information will be turned over to the Ohio County Prosecutor's Office who will determine if any charges will be filed.
Police: Woman shoots man struggling with off-duty Indiana office - Fox19
www.fox19.com/.../police-witness-shoots-man-attacking-officer-during-indiana-traffi...
Feb 20, 2017 - The incident happened around 12:20 after the officer responded to a county dispatch referencing a suspicious person and vehicle in the 8300 block of State Route 56 between Rising Sun and Aberdeen, according to state police. Justin K. Holland, 25, was near his vehicle along the roadside when the officer ...
ISP: Woman fatally shoots man who was fighting with conservation ...
fox59.com/.../isp-woman-fatally-shoots-man-who-was-fighting-with-conservation-off...
Feb 20, 2017 - RISING SUN, Ind.– Indiana State Police say a Moores Hill man was killed by a person who witnessed the man fighting with an officer. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Monday in the 8300 block of State Road 56, west of Rising Sun. Officers were called to the scene on a report of a suspicious person ...
Indiana State Police: Witness shot man scuffling with conservation ...
https://www.wcpo.com/...indiana/pd-witness-shoots-kills-man-during-scuffle-with-poli...
Feb 20, 2017 - RISING SUN, Ind. -- A bystander shot a man who was scuffling with an off-duty Indiana Conservation Officer Monday, according to Indiana State Police. The man later died at a hospital, police said. The officer came in contact with 25-year- old Justin K. Holland when he responded to reports of a suspicious ...
Woman shoots, kills Ind. cop's attacker - PoliceOne
https://www.policeone.com/.../293827006-Woman-shoots-kills-Ind-cops-attacker/
Feb 21, 2017 - By PoliceOne Staff. RISING SUN, Ind. – A woman came to the aid of an Indiana officer who was struggling with a suspect. According to the Courier-Journal, the state conservation officer responded to a suspicious person call Monday when the incident occurred. A struggle between the officer and Justin ...
Woman kills man in dispute with Indiana Conservation Officer
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/.../indiana/.../woman-kills...indiana.../9818786...
Feb 21, 2017 - An Indiana woman shot and killed a man who was fighting with a state Conservation Officer in Southeastern Indiana on Monday, authorities said. The unidentified officer responded to a call of a suspicious person in the 8300 block of State Road 56, just west of Rising Sun, Indiana, in Ohio County at about ...
My name is Sergeant William Halbig with the Aurora Police Department. I am a Firearms and Physical Tactics Instructor as well as the President of Laughery Valley Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 146. I am attempting to raise money for Kystie, a young mother, who is being sued for what I would consider legal actions. The lawsuit involves both Kystie and the Officer involved. However the Officer is covered by his department as well as the FOP Legal Defense Fund. I can not release all the details of the case but as you will read you will find her actions were nothing less than heroic. Kystie is courageous and her actions saved a life and she should be commended but instead she is being sued. Here is a glimpse of what happened that day.
On February 20, 2017 a suspicious person prompted a call to 911 in Ohio County, Indiana. The suspicious person was parked in a elderly persons yard for an extended period of time, blocking her driveway, and creating a road hazard. Shortly after a Police Officer arrived in response to the call. The man began resisting and both the Officer and man went to the ground. A young woman (Kystie)standing nearby on her property ran to help the Officer. Kystie could see the Officer was loosing the fight as this man reached for the Officers gun. Fortunately for the Officer, Kystie was armed and shot the man one time which ended the fight.
Indiana State Police conducted the investigation, which was reviewed by the Dearborn County, Indiana Prosecutors Office, and the findings were that Kystie’s actions were deemed justified and no criminal charges were filed.
However, On April 6, 2018, Kystie received a summons from Blake R Maislin LLC, (Thomas J Dall, Attorney at Law) regarding a wrongful death lawsuit for the assailant, J. Holland. Ohio County Superior Court Case No.:58C01-1802-CT-00001. The Officer involved was also named in the suit.
I am asking our community of citizens and law enforcement Officers to help in this legal battle. Attorney fees are an expense well beyond Kystie’s income and this will not be a quick process. The legal fees and emotional stress may drain every resource she has. I have pledged that any funds received above the cost of her legal defense, will be donated to charities; specifically, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and the FOP Police Benevolent Fund.
UPDATE 4/17/2018: We have increased the goal of this account to reflect the amount of recoverable damages that could be assessed against Kystie in this "wrongful death" lawsuit if the plaintiffs win, but we emphasize that these funds will NOT be used to settle the case - they are only to pay for Kystie's choice of defense counsel and to protect her from an adverse verdict. We fully expect Kystie to win this frivolous case and distribute the balance above her attorneys' fees to charity as discussed above This lawsuit will hopefully change the way the law is and help create a situation where people can, in good faith, help others without being sued. Kystie’s attorney is The Law Offices of Guy A. Relford
One South Rangeline Road
Suite 110
Carmel, IN 46032
(317) [phone redacted] (office)
This case is about more than the right or wrong of one party suing another. Imagine not being able to come to the aid of another person for fear of being sued, possibly to the point of bankruptcy. The case is about a person having the basic God-given right and the 2nd Amendment right to defend both yourself and others and without the fear of civil retribution.
Perhaps the worst choice we make, is not to protect our family, ourselves, or others when confronted with life threatening situations when we clearly have the power to do so.
The person in harm’s way needs to have faith that someone may come to their rescue in that moment of extreme need without fear of retribution.
Generally, these civil actions are initiated by a contingency fee law firm who essentially works for a percentage of the settlement or judgement. Whether that is fair or not is certainly debatable, but the emotional and mental drain on the person being sued is quite unfathomable. More than that, the defendant is forced to pay for their own representation while there are usually no monetary consequences for those filing the suit.
Below are Media links to this incident.
Armed woman shoots, kills suspect attacking conservation officer
www.nbc4i.com/news/u-s-world/armed-woman-shoots-kills-suspect.../1064765545
Feb 21, 2017 - RISING SUN, IN (WLWT) A man involved in a confrontation with an Indiana conservation officer has died after being shot by a witness. Indiana State Police said the incident happened around 12:30 p.m. Monday about 10 miles west of Rising Sun. According to the Ohio County Sheriff's Office, the officer was ...
Police ID man shot, killed by witness after confrontation with officer
www.wlwt.com/article/police-id-man-shot-killed-by-witness-after.../8956707
Feb 20, 2017 - A witness shot a man involved in a confrontation with an Indiana conservation officer, officials said Monday. ... Police ID man shot, killed by witness after confrontation with officer ... According to the Ohio County Sheriff's Office, the officer was responding to reports of a suspicious person in the area.
Investigation continues after bystander shoots man fighting with officer
https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/...woman-shoots-kills...indiana.../98176608/
Feb 20, 2017 - Police are continuing to investigate after a Rising Sun woman shot and killed a man Monday who was fighting with an Indiana Conservation Officer. ... Once the investigation is complete, the information will be turned over to the Ohio County Prosecutor's Office who will determine if any charges will be filed.
Police: Woman shoots man struggling with off-duty Indiana office - Fox19
www.fox19.com/.../police-witness-shoots-man-attacking-officer-during-indiana-traffi...
Feb 20, 2017 - The incident happened around 12:20 after the officer responded to a county dispatch referencing a suspicious person and vehicle in the 8300 block of State Route 56 between Rising Sun and Aberdeen, according to state police. Justin K. Holland, 25, was near his vehicle along the roadside when the officer ...
ISP: Woman fatally shoots man who was fighting with conservation ...
fox59.com/.../isp-woman-fatally-shoots-man-who-was-fighting-with-conservation-off...
Feb 20, 2017 - RISING SUN, Ind.– Indiana State Police say a Moores Hill man was killed by a person who witnessed the man fighting with an officer. The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. Monday in the 8300 block of State Road 56, west of Rising Sun. Officers were called to the scene on a report of a suspicious person ...
Indiana State Police: Witness shot man scuffling with conservation ...
https://www.wcpo.com/...indiana/pd-witness-shoots-kills-man-during-scuffle-with-poli...
Feb 20, 2017 - RISING SUN, Ind. -- A bystander shot a man who was scuffling with an off-duty Indiana Conservation Officer Monday, according to Indiana State Police. The man later died at a hospital, police said. The officer came in contact with 25-year- old Justin K. Holland when he responded to reports of a suspicious ...
Woman shoots, kills Ind. cop's attacker - PoliceOne
https://www.policeone.com/.../293827006-Woman-shoots-kills-Ind-cops-attacker/
Feb 21, 2017 - By PoliceOne Staff. RISING SUN, Ind. – A woman came to the aid of an Indiana officer who was struggling with a suspect. According to the Courier-Journal, the state conservation officer responded to a suspicious person call Monday when the incident occurred. A struggle between the officer and Justin ...
Woman kills man in dispute with Indiana Conservation Officer
https://www.courier-journal.com/story/.../indiana/.../woman-kills...indiana.../9818786...
Feb 21, 2017 - An Indiana woman shot and killed a man who was fighting with a state Conservation Officer in Southeastern Indiana on Monday, authorities said. The unidentified officer responded to a call of a suspicious person in the 8300 block of State Road 56, just west of Rising Sun, Indiana, in Ohio County at about ...
Organizer and beneficiary
Bill Halbig
Organizer
Aurora, IN
Kystie Jaehnen
Beneficiary