A woman suing the Butler City Police Department, the City of Butler and individual officer has filed a motion to dismiss all defendants except one officer.

Deborah Riemenschneider, of Chestnut Street, filed the lawsuit in October 2023 alleging the use of excessive force from Butler Police Department officer Nathan Shulick during a Butler County Drug Task Force raid.

The City of Butler, Butler City Police Department, officer Justin Havancik, officer Douglas Brink, chief detective Timothy Fennell and detective John Johnson were also named in the suit.

Judge Kelly Streib heard arguments from attorneys for and against the dismissal with prejudice at Tuesday’s hearing before returning to her chambers. A decision was not made at the hearing.

A dismissal with prejudice would not allow defense attorneys to recall witnesses to the stand after they are dropped from the suit.

Attorney Jordan Shuber with Dillon McCandless King Coulter & Graham, L.L.P., who represents Shulick, was not in favor of dismissing the other defendants arguing the raid was spurred by the Butler County Drug Task Force, which encompasses multiple county agencies. He said a dismissal with prejudice would not allow the defendants to be called to testify if needed.

Attorney Rebecca Black with Lutz, Pawk & Black, LLP, who represents Hovancik, called the filings on behalf of Riemenschneider “disastrous, messy and chaotic” due to her attorneys filing the motion to dismiss while the defense is still filing preliminary objections. She was in favor of the dismissal with prejudice and asked Streib to defer on her ruling until preliminary objections are heard.

Attorney Maria Pipak with JonesPassodelis, PLLC, who represents the two detectives, and deputy attorney general Meghan Flowers, representing Brink, both consented to the dismissal with prejudice, saying their clients weren’t accused in the initial filing.

Attorneys for Schafkopf Law LLC and Weisberg Law filed the motion on Riemenschneider’s behalf March 8. The attorney representing the firms at the hearing did not contest any of the defense statements.

The lawsuit alleges Shulick used excessive force when detaining Riemenschneider while Hovancik, Brink, Fennell and Johnson were present. It accuses Shulick of excessive force, assault and battery and cruel and unusual punishment.