Police officer cleared in lawsuit
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August 7, 2012 9:15 PM
COEUR d'ALENE - A Coeur d'Alene police officer was acquitted of an excessive force lawsuit in federal court last week stemming from a January 2009 arrest.
The federal jury returned a not guilty verdict Thursday in Teresa Campbell v. City of Coeur d'Alene and Officer Spencer Mortensen, according to city attorney Mike Gridley.
Campbell alleged that police used excessive force during the arrest at Kootenai Health and that her arrest was without probable cause and violated her civil rights. It also alleged the police department committed conspiracy, and failed to properly train, supervise and discipline its officers.
The city was dropped from the suit prior to the three-day trail, leaving Mortensen facing an excessive use of force claim.