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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Otto Zehm

Otto Zehm, a Spokane man with schizophrenia who worked as a janitor, died after a confrontation with police at a North Side Zip Trip store in March 2006.

News >  Spokane

Quotes regarding the Thompson verdict

U.S. Attorney Mike Ormsby: “This is not an indictment of our entire Police Department and it should not be an excuse for any of us to ignore the good work that our police officers do every day and every night in our community to protect us.” Chris Bugbee, attorney for Spokane police Officers Tim Moses and Erin Raleigh: “It’s shocking to see a police officer who we trust to protect us being convicted of this crime, regardless of how you see the case.”
News >  Spokane

Conviction likely to bring changes at department

The conviction of Officer Karl Thompson could mean a significant shift in the running and politics of the Spokane Police Department, some city officials and police accountability advocates said after Wednesday’s verdict. Jeffry Finer, a civil rights attorney who represents the family of Otto Zehm, said he hopes the jury’s decision would lead to serious police reform after years of failed efforts.
News >  Spokane

Thompson case goes to jurors

YAKIMA – Jurors were asked Monday to decide whether Spokane police Officer Karl F. Thompson Jr. is a “rogue cop” and liar who hid behind a departmental coverup, or a “hero” who was protecting the public when he beat Otto Zehm with a baton 13 times and shocked him with a Taser. Deliberations in the excessive force trial began on what would have been Zehm’s 42nd birthday. He died without regaining consciousness following a violent March 18, 2006, police confrontation inside a Spokane convenience store after being mistakenly identified as a suspect in a possible theft.

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