> Lawsuit information:

 

> Fri, 17 May 2013 17:43:14 -0700

> From: copwatch@portlandcopwatch.org


> City to pay $35,000: officer caused man's face to hit pavement
> I was looking at this week's City Council agenda and read this item (known
> is item #477), wondering what the context was for the protest that led to
> this man having his face smashed to the pavement by a police officer (and
> now the City agreeing to pay him $35,000). Maxine Bernstein at the
> Oregonian did the leg work so I don't have to.
>
> Of course, I don't know that they had to echo the City's description of
> the protest as "anti-police" since it was "anti-police brutality" from
> what the story says.
> --dan h
> --Portland Copwatch
>
> City of Portland to pay $35,000 to settle civil lawsuit alleging false
> arrest, battery during anti-police march
>^{http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2013/05/city_of_portland_to_pay_35000.html#incart_river}
> By Maxine Bernstein, The Oregonian
> on May 17, 2013 at 3:50 PM, updated May 17, 2013 at 3:57 PM
>
> The City of Portland would pay $35,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a
> man who was injured during a March 2010 anti-police protest, under an
> ordinance that will go before city commissioners Wednesday.
>
> The encounter, captured on television footage, resulted in injuries to
> Clifford Richardson. He was treated at OHSU Hospital after his head and
> face struck the pavement during a scuffle with an officer, according to
> city records.
>
> During the 2010 protest, Portland police formed a line with their bikes to
> keep protestors from moving into the street. Richardson, according to city
> documents, pushed at an officer and officers moved in to take him into
> custody.
>
> "During the struggle that ensued, Richardson's upper body was struck by a
> police officer's knee and as a result, his head and face struck the
> pavement,'' according to city documents distributed to commissioners.
>
> Richardson, then 24, was charged with disorderly conduct, resisting
> arrest, interfering with police and harassment. He was later acquitted of
> all charges at trial.
>
> Richardson then filed a civil lawsuit against the city in Multnomah County
> Circuit Court, alleging false arrest, battery and malicious prosecution.
> He was seeking $15,000 for past and future medical bills, plus $500,000 in
> general damages.
>
> The settlement figure was reached after significant negotiations,
> according to the city.
>
> "Approval of this settlement will avoid the cost and expense of a trial
> and a jury award that could potentially be significantly larger,''
> according to Randy Stenquist, of the city's risk management office.
>
> The protest was one in a series that followed two officer-involved fatal
> shootings that year: the Jan. 29, 2010 fatal shooting of Aaron Campbell by
> Officer Ronald Frashour, and the March 22 fatal shooting of Jack Dale