Police said George Murphy, despondent over a breakup with his girlfriend, had threatened to kill himself or anyone who entered the home the Wards were allowing him to use
A judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Carol and Robert Ward of Granby saying that their house at 95 Cold Hill Road, seen here, was damaged by state police during an armed standoff in 2005.NORTHAMPTON – A judge has dismissed a lawsuit against the state filed by a Granby couple who said state police were negligent when they severely damaged their home during a standoff with a handyman.
The Daily Hampshire Gazette reported Tuesday that a Superior Court judge ruled police were acting within their official duties when officers fired 92 rounds of tear gas into Robert and Carol Ward’s home in December 2005. The episode was an effort to flush out George Murphy during a nine-hour standoff.
Police said Murphy, despondent over a breakup with his girlfriend, had threatened to kill himself or anyone who entered the home. The Wards were on vacation but had allowed Murphy to stay at the house.
The Wards said their home was uninhabitable. Their insurance covered more than $500,000 of the damage.