City Of Portland Pays $1.6 Million To Settle Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The city of Portland and the family of James P. Chasse Jr. have reached a settlement in the family's federal wrongful death lawsuit, with the city paying $1.6 million. Chasee was a
42-year-old mentally ill man who died in police custody on Sept. 17, 2006. Aside from the money the family really wanted the release of the Portland internal affairs investigation, training and discipline records relevant to the case. The documents have been under a court protective order that was sought by the city since the beginning of the lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement, all of the records will be released.
According to the wrongful death lawsult Chasse was tackled by three large men, "repeatedly and viciously punched, struck, kicked, kneed in the head, back, ribs and chest." He was repeatedly shot with a stun gun and then died when paramedics and jail medical staff failed to provide treatment. This is a very tragic case and shows what happens when the police believe they can do anything to anybody. Hopefully this settlement will change the behavior and proceedures the police utilize in the future.
