August 17, 2010 in City

City attorneys will defend officers in federal civil suit

Case filed by family of Joshua Levy, who jumped from bridge after being stunned with Taser
By The Spokesman-Review
 
Tags:Anne KirkpatrickIsamu YamadaJoshua LevyMichael McCaslandMonroe Street BridgeSpokane City CouncilSpokane County Sheriff’s OfficeSpokane Police Departmenttaser

Two Spokane police officers named in a lawsuit filed by the family of a man who was stunned by police with a Taser just prior to jumping from the Monroe Street Bridge will be defended by city attorneys.

The Spokane City Council voted unanimously to indemnify Officers Isamu Yamada and Michael McCasland in a case stemming from the suicide of a 28-year-old college student who had paranoid schizophrenia. The decision, which was expected because the officers were on duty during the incident, means the city will cover any judgment that results from the suit.

Last month, attorneys representing the family of Joshua Levy filed a $4.7 million federal civil suit against the Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for their failed attempt to keep Levy from jumping. Levy was engaged in a standoff with police on July 26, 2007, that lasted into the next day.

The suit alleges that the Taser was fired despite a promise from Chief Anne Kirkpatrick not to use force. When the probes missed, two officers rushed at Levy and he jumped, the family’s attorney wrote in the filings.

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Two comments on this story so far. Add yours!

  • lewis8457 on August 17 at 7:26 a.m.

    This was another attempt by SPD to cover all the bases. Instead of calling in a mental health official or just letting his father talk to him. SPD had to show how tough they are with a mentally challenged person. The SPD seems to have fatal results with mentally challenged folks in Spokane don’t they?

    Now the mightier then thou attitude is going to cost us another 4 million dollars.
    While we get to watch two more of our finest put up on charges. I suppose they will still be receiving their 10 grand per month paychecks.

    Karl Thompson is and he killed a man in cold blood.

  • JayNW on August 17 at 10:57 a.m.

    So Lewis, you think the citizen that failed to keep a jumper from jumping last night should be sued too?

    and no cop gets $10K a month..thats funny.

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