YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) — A federal court jury on Wednesday convicted a Spokane police officer of using excessive force on a mentally ill man who died in 2006 after being struck and Tasered at a convenience store.
Officer Karl Thompson was accused of brutally beating Otto Zehm, a 36-year-old schizophrenic man, and then lying about it to investigators. Zehm died from his injuries two days after the encounter.
Prosecutors said Thompson disgraced his badge with his actions, while the defense maintained the veteran officer used his training and experience to make a split-second decision to protect himself and the public.
Thompson was not charged with killing Zehm. Federal jurors instead found him guilty of violating Zehm's civil rights by use of excessive force.
He faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Zehm was the subject of a police search after two teenagers reported he might have stolen money at an ATM, though it was later revealed he had done nothing wrong.
Thompson was the first officer to respond and found Zehm entering the store March 18, 2006. Surveillance video shows Thompson rushing up to Zehm, knocking him to the ground and repeatedly striking him with a police baton.
Thompson, 64, has more than 40 years of law enforcement experience.
According to police, officers later hogtied and sat on Zehm, who died without regaining consciousness.
A medical examiner concluded Zehm died from lack of oxygen to the brain due to heart failure while being restrained on his stomach. No other officers were charged.