Woman Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against McCurtain Co. Sheriff's Office

An Oklahoma woman is filing a wrongful death civil rights lawsuit against the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office. The lawsuit comes after a plethora of controversy surrounding audio recordings from the Idabel local newspaper – the McCurtain County Gazette.

Barbara Barrick and her attorney announced the lawsuit seeking justice for her husband Bobby on Thursday morning.

“Bobby was full of life,” said Barrick, as she talked about her late husband Bobby Barrick at a press conference on Thursday morning. “He was so giving and so thoughtful.”

Barrick said her husband’s life was lost too soon while in McCurtain County Sheriff’s custody.

“[Bobby] was experiencing a mental health crisis,” said Mitchell Garrett, Barrick’s attorney.

Sheriff’s deputies allegedly found Bobby after a group of people beat and bound him at a convenience store on March 13 of last year.

“The person that he’s been represented as in that event,” Barrick said. “That’s not who my husband was.”

Barbara is filing a wrongful death civil rights lawsuit against Kevin Clardy and the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office.

“Barbara has never received a phone call from the Sheriff’s department or any of its investigators saying, ‘I’m so sorry for what happened to your husband,’” Garrett said.

The lawsuit argues that deputies handcuffed Barrick and used unreasonable force which included the use of tasers. Bobby died five days later.

“We really wish we knew what happened to Bobby, but we don’t have all the answers,” Garrett said.

News 9 has made multiple attempts to contact the sheriff and received no response. Information about what happened that day is scarce.

“It’s been a hard year not knowing …" Barrick said.

An open records lawsuit the McCurtain Gazette filed uncovered facts about the case.

“I really do praise Bruce and his son Chris at the Gazette for being so persistent and brave with not only my husband’s case, but with so many others,” Barrick said.

 The Gazette's records lawsuit includes a limited bodycam video during Barrick’s arrest. The video was released this week.

“Local journalism is important,” Garrett said.

The McCurtain Gazette’s reporting is what led to the controversial recording that made national headlines and produced the resignation of McCurtain County Commissioner Mark Jennings.

“Because of the tenacity of these local journalists,” Garrett said. “We got the information last week which allowed us to have some light on what happened.”

Barrick said these reporters put a spotlight on the memories Bobby left behind.

“He was the life of the party,” Barrick said. “Everyone just loved being around him.”

Garrett said a civil lawsuit only produces a money settlement. Their hope is this lawsuit will uncover more facts to find the truth of what happened to Barrick.