05/20/2008

Associated Press

A federal court jury in Seattle awarded $268,000 to a man arrested in 2006 for obstruction and resisting arrest.

The jury said the arrest of Romelle Bradford was unlawful and that Seattle police officers used excessive force and violated his civil rights.

Bradford was a Boys & Girls Club staff member supervising a dance and wearing a club T-shirt when he was arrested after an officer saw him running.

With Monday's decision, the 22-year-old says he feels a weight has been lifted.

The private lawyer who defended the city, Moses Garcia, says he's disappointed by the jury decision because he felt the officer had probable cause to make the arrest.

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Information from: Seattle Post-Intelligencer, http://www.seattle-pi.com/