Jury rejects man’s excessive force claim

A jury Wednesday exonerated a Spokane County Sheriff’s detective who has been the subject of several exce ssive force complaints.

The jury found unanimously for Spokane County in a case that began with a traffic stop on Jan. 22, 2006 by Jeff Welton, who was a deputy at the time.

Daniel B. Strange, 41, filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the county alleging that Welton used excessive force.

“Obviously, we believe they made the right decision,” said attorney Heather Yakely, who represented Spokane County.

But Mary Schultz, representing Strange, said she was frustrated that she was not allowed to present more evidence to the jury.

Read Thomas Clouse’s story here.

Past coverage:

Jan. 4: Civil trial begins over deputy’s use of Taser