Man wins fees in excessive force case

| March 21, 2012 9:17 AM

LEWISTON (AP) — A northern Idaho man has been awarded attorney fees of $85,000 in his lawsuit claiming police used excessive force when apprehending him.

Kevin E. Mays sued in U.S. District Court four years ago, contending he was beaten and Tasered by four Lewiston police officers and Nez Perce County deputies when they were called to check on his welfare in December 2006.

A federal jury cleared three of the officers last June but found that former Lewiston police officer Donald Blair used excessive force in the encounter. Mays didn't receive any punitive damages, and given $2,000 for medical expenses.

Mays sought an additional award of $440,000 in attorney fees.

The Lewiston Tribune reports (http://bit.ly/GCN4Xq ) a U.S. District Court judge awarded Mays a portion of his requested amount in a ruling Friday.

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AP source: Lewiston Tribune, http://www.lmtribune.com