BY ROBERT L. BAKER

Wyoming County Press Examiner

The family of the man killed last November while being served a mental health warrant has filed a civil action against Tunkhannock Twp. officer Mark Papi.

Attorney Shelley L. Centini of Wilkes-Barre said she initiated the action on behalf of Melinda Williams, administrator of the estate of Brian Williams.

She is also Williams’ widow, with the couple having been married for 23 years.

A writ of summons was filed in the Wyoming County Court of Common Pleas last Friday against Papi with a jury trial demanded.

Centini said Tuesday she had no comment about the statement made Monday by Wyoming County District Attorney Jeff Mitchell which noted that he found “Officer Papi acted in self defense pursuant to the law and shall not be prosecuted for a criminal offense.”

The civil action filed Friday noted the family was claiming wrongful death and that money damages would be requested and they would be outside arbitration limits.