Seattle teen kicked by cop wants city to pay up, apologize

February 15, 2011 @ 7:35 am (Updated: 1:30 pm - 3/28/11 )

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By ALEX SILVERMAN
KIRO Radio

The teen who was kicked in the head and groin by an undercover Seattle Police officer in a convenience store last fall has filed a $450,000 claim against the city.

The 17-year-old is seen on store surveillance video with his hands in the air as Officer James Lee rushes in and kicks him in the groin, then the torso and head.

In the claim filed Monday, the teen's lawyers asked for either a jury trial or a $450,000 settlement for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma. They have also asked for an apology from the department.

The day after the incident was first reported, Deputy Chief Clark Kimerer told the media officers that they "have to grow up a little bit and recognize we are in the video age."

The officer has been administratively reassigned. The teen faces first-degree attempted robbery charges related to the drug bust that took place moments before the incident outside the convenience store.

KIRO-FM is not naming the teen since he has not been charged as an adult.

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Comments (19)


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  • AJ McCarrell wrote...
    More than a bit excessive....
    February 15, 2011 7:52 am
    Wait until the charges are dropped. The initial reports of this months ago indicated that the teen was not charged and had nothing to do with the robbery, so either the police are charging him to shut him up or there is more evidence linking him. Either way, $450K is excessive and if he is convicted, he shouldn't get anything.
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  • Kneer wrote...
    The cop should be held accountable
    February 15, 2011 8:03 am
    But at the same time $450K that is a bit much. I hate getting hit in the nuts as the next guy but for $450K you can go right ahead. The cop should be deciplined and the kid should get maybe a little something but not that much money.
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  • jpetro wrote...
    The kid
    February 15, 2011 8:28 am
    should get squat
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  • SeattleNative wrote...
    The punk tried to flee...
    February 15, 2011 8:48 am
    ...and when he realized he cornered himself, the cop used a valid takedown technique to subdue the suspect. Probably should have stopped at one kick, though.
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  • Dark Jedi wrote...
    This is not a lottery win son
    February 15, 2011 9:39 am
    If any money is to be rewarded to this child, $10,000.00 should be tops. Of course his lawyer will probably eat $8,000 of that. But the first charge of robbery and drug dealing should be dealt with first. If convicted, no money at all.
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  • rollingmyeyes wrote...
    While you're at it ...
    February 15, 2011 10:19 am
    Charge him with a second count of attempted robbery ... of the taxpayers.
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  • darthclown wrote...
    Out of control thugs
    February 15, 2011 10:36 am
    costing the city more money. Way to go.
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  • AJ McCarrell wrote...
    Don't assume
    February 15, 2011 10:38 am
    You'd have to recall a case about ten years ago where Deputy Dave Plummer beat the crud out of an old man on his way home from the hospital for a quadruple bypass. His doctors said he wasn't in condition to walk or even stand, much less take on a 25 year old deputy. Plummer beat the guy for being "un-cooperative" as a passenger during a traffic stop. They charged the old man with assault as soon as he filed suit against the deputy. So, these charges may mean nothing at all and may only exist to convince the kid to drop his claim. I wouldn't be surprised since it's far from the first time.

    http://policecrime.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=coptalk&action=display&thread=1763

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