Mammoth Spring City Employees Awarded $400,000 in Lawsuit Settlement

Jury rules in favor of police chief and deputy recorder treasurer in case against property owners

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:00pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a weathered wooden sign post, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty aesthetic that conceptually represents the investigative nature of this property rights dispute.A city's legal battle with private property owners over signage exposes the tensions between public space and individual rights.Mammoth Spring Today

A Fulton County Circuit Court jury has awarded $400,000 to Mammoth Spring Police Chief Jamie Turnbough and Deputy Recorder Treasurer Melissa Rogers in a lawsuit they filed against David and Dawn Campbell. The lawsuit, filed in July 2024, was over signs the Campbells had put up on their property on Main Street, leading to an injunction that the Campbells fought with over 100 court filings. The trial lasted about 5 hours, and the jury deliberated for less than an hour before ruling in favor of the city employees.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local government and private property owners over the use of signage, with the city seeking to enforce ordinances while property owners assert their rights. The prolonged legal battle and substantial jury award underscore the high stakes involved when these disputes escalate.

The details

The lawsuit was filed by Police Chief Jamie Turnbough and Deputy Recorder Treasurer Melissa Rogers against David and Dawn Campbell over signs the Campbells had placed on their property on Main Street in Mammoth Spring. An injunction was filed nearly two years ago, but the Campbells fought back with over 100 court filings that delayed the process. During the 5-hour trial, the Campbells represented themselves, and the jury deliberated for less than an hour before awarding the city employees $400,000.

  • The lawsuit was filed in July 2024.
  • An injunction was filed nearly two years ago.
  • The trial lasted about 5 hours.
  • The jury deliberation took less than 1 hour.

The players

Jamie Turnbough

Mammoth Spring Police Chief.

Melissa Rogers

Mammoth Spring Deputy Recorder Treasurer.

David Campbell

One of the property owners sued by the city employees.

Dawn Campbell

One of the property owners sued by the city employees.

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What they’re saying

“We must uphold city ordinances and protect public spaces, even when it means taking legal action against private citizens.”

— Jamie Turnbough, Police Chief

“This was a clear violation of our rights as property owners, and we will continue to fight for our ability to display signs on our own land.”

— David Campbell, Property Owner

What’s next

The Campbells have indicated they plan to appeal the jury's decision.

The takeaway

This case underscores the ongoing tensions between local governments and private property owners over the use of signage, with both sides asserting their rights and interests. The substantial jury award highlights the high stakes involved when these disputes escalate to the courts.