Camden County sheriff responds to lawsuit filed by umpire accused of choking deputy
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Camden County Sheriff Chris Edgar has responded to a lawsuit filed against him by an umpire who was accused of attacking a woman and a deputy in 2023.
Neal Sidebottom, of Versailles, was charged in 2023 with first-degree assault and misdemeanor resisting arrest. The case was transferred last year from Camden County to Moniteau County. A judge was assigned to the case in February, but the next hearing is not listed on Casenet.
According to previous reporting, deputies were called to Ballparks National on Kissick Way in Macks Creek for a disturbance involving an umpire and a player’s parent. A press release claimed that Sidebottom shoved a woman during an argument and then choked a deputy.
Sidebottom filed a lawsuit against Edgar and Deputy Cole Downing on April 25 in Morgan County, accusing them of depriving him of his rights and that Downing committed assault and battery.
“Mr. Neal Sidebottom was lawfully arrested during an altercation at Ballparks National. My staff and I deny the allegations made in his lawsuit,” a Friday press release from Edgar says. “Deputy Downing is an experienced and conscientious law enforcement officer and has my full support. The Camden County Sheriff’s Office will vigorously defend this matter in court. “
The lawsuit alleges Sidebottom’s Fourth Amendment rights were violated and accuses Downing of using excessive force.
A hearing in the case is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, June 9.