AP
Original Article
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The city of Olympia has agreed to pay $260,000 to a woman strip-searched and zapped with a stun gun in the city jail.
Cynthia Brown’s lawyer Edwin Budge calls the agreement “vindication to some degree.”
While settling, the city denies liability. Its outside counsel for the case, Donald Law, says the city accomplished its primary goal, which was to “reach a fair settlement with Cynthia Brown.”
Brown had sued the city in September, alleging her civil rights were violated and that the strip search was illegal.
The Olympian says public documents show Brown was arrested and taken to the jail on Aug. 19, 2008, on a misdemeanor trespassing accusation, which was later dismissed. Records show Brown refused an order to strip to her underwear without a female officer present, then was shot with a Taser. She then removed her clothes.
The newspaper says the city changed jail booking procedures related to strip searches as a result of the case.
Budge & Heipt is a law firm committed to obtaining justice for victims and their families who have suffered wrongful death or catastrophic injury due to police brutality and police misconduct in jail or prison. For cases such as police brutality and misconduct, Budge & Heipt can help. Please contact our office for a free consultation.
