Skip navigation
× You have 2 more free articles available this month. Subscribe today.

$200,000 Settlement in Excessive Force Claim

Washington State’s King County has paid $200,000 to settle the excessive force claim of Bryan J. Miles. On February 13, 2004, Miles was a passenger in his car, which was being driven by an acquaintance of Miles, when police attempted to pull the vehicle over. The driver sped away and a chase ensued. When they arrived at the driver’s house, he exited the vehicle and fled. Miles remained seated.

Maple Valley Police gave chase to the driver, leaving Miles alone. Shortly thereafter, a K-9 unit arrived, identified the driver’s scent and gave pursuit. Still, police did not question or confront Miles. When the police were gone, Miles got out of the vehicle, sat on the grass next to the vehicle, pulled out his identification and fell asleep.

The next thing he knew, a Maple Valley police officer jumped hard onto Miles’s back, landing with his knees into Miles’s back and ribs. The officer began screaming at Miles and, when Miles turned towards him, struck him hard. Miles was arrested but no charges were ever filed. He was made to stand, in excruciating pain, at the King County Jail all night.

As a result of the incident, Miles suffered broken ribs, nerve damage, a collapsed lung and a blood clot in his left leg. Represented by Michael J. Kelly of the Van Siclen, Stocks & Firkins law firm in Auburn, Miles settled the claim on May 19, 2006. The documents related to this claim are available on PLN’s website. See: Miles v. Maple Valley Police Department, King Co. Super. Ct., No. 05-2-05680-1 KNT; King County Claim No. 35216.

As a digital subscriber to Prison Legal News, you can access full text and downloads for this and other premium content.

Subscribe today

Already a subscriber? Login

Related legal case

Miles v. Maple Valley Police Department

Please see the brief bank for documents related to this case.