City attorneys will defend officers in federal civil suit

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.