Wendy Budde (Angela's Sister)

That lawsuit lists multiple failures to arrest Chris Prichard.

O'Brien says this led to what's called a state-created danger.

Meaning the officers' alleged inaction and indifference actually increased the threat to Angela Pritchard.

Can a police officer decide, should I arrest him or not?

Is it up to their discretion?

Absolutely not.

Here in Iowa, only a judge can show discretion not to enforce this restraining order.

Starting September 1, 2022, when Angela's second no-contact order was issued, until her murder 37 days later, Chris Pritchard violated the restraining order repeatedly, says O'Brien.

A dozen times during this relevant time period, Angela Pritchard called the Bellevue Police Department, and they failed to follow that law, that judge's order.

That's because, O'Brien says, the Bellevue police officers showed Pritchard favoritism.

To prove this case, you must prove that the police officers' failure to enforce the protection order was intentional and reckless.

How can you do that?

Well, just by the sheer number of times that it was not enforced.

In October 2024, Chief Federal Judge C.J.

Williams dismissed the lawsuit in its entirety.

The Bellevue Police Department, he ruled, did not put Angela in a more dangerous situation, and the three officers simply did not commit outrageous conduct.

The judge added there was no evidence of police favoritism.

The alleged facts, even taken as true, are a far cry from establishing that any of the defendants were friends with Christopher.

Accusations they denied.

O'Brien argued the officers were well aware Chris Prichard was a serious threat to his wife.