$125,000 Awarded in Oregon Excessive Force Case
by Christopher Zoukis
In a civil rights claim brought in Oregon federal court, John B. O'Riley was awarded $125,000 after a jury found that police used excessive force against him.
On September 25, 2003, police responded to a call from the VA Patient Advocate, where they encountered O'Riley. O'Riley allegedly turned on the officers, swinging his cane, and refusing an order to stop. The police then used pepper spray to subdue him, after which he was taken to the emergency room for treatment.
O'Riley filed a claim against the United States and officers Todd A. Neelands, Jeffery Fletcher, Lauren Flindt, and Michael J. Sweeney in Oregon's federal district court for the loss of his civil rights and physical injury. He was awarded $125,000, with interest, as well as $475 for costs.
See: O'Riley v. United States, et al., United States District Court for the District of Oregon, Case No. 05-1476-KI (April 12, 2007)
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