New Orleans Crime Lab Supervisor Denied Qualified Immunity Bid

A New Orleans crime lab supervisor must face claims he unlawfully detained an ex-lab worker after the worker complained about lab protocols, the Fifth Circuit said Tuesday.

Former lab worker Karl Von Derhaar sued New Orleans Police Department Crime Lab Supervisor Michael Stalbert and two officers for Fourth Amendment violations, saying they unlawfully came to his home and detained him after he raised concerns that the lab’s drug testing was inaccurate and unsafe.

Von Derhaar went on voluntary leave after he was ordered to undergo drug testing using the method he had warned of, the court said.

A government official ...