From Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement

An excessive force lawsuit alleges Eugene police slammed a man backward
onto the concrete ground outside his home and then shocked him with a
Taser after pinning him to the ground.

The Jan. 12, 2025, arrest of Troy Harty for resisting arrest and
interfering with a police officer took place rCL[d]espite EPDrCOs own conclusion that there was no probable cause for the initial encounter,rCY according to the lawsuit, filed June 2 in U.S. District Court in Eugene.

After being shocked with a Taser, Harty rCLviolently and uncontrollably convulsed, face down in handcuffs against the concrete, with the barbed
Taser darts implanted in his skin,rCY according to the lawsuit filed
against the city of Eugene and Michael Brelsford, a Eugene police
officer.

The lawsuit alleges the arrest of Harty was unlawful, and that Brelsford
rCLwas required and had reasonable opportunity to warn Plaintiff that
force would be used, and to provide an opportunity for Plaintiff to
comply prior to using force, but failed to do so.rCY

A Eugene police spokesperson Tuesday, June 9, said they had no
information to provide when asked about the lawsuit, which seeks an
unspecified amount in noneconomic damages associated with HartyrCOs
rCLphysical and emotional harms, including but not limited to pain, fear, anxiety, humiliation, anger, PTSD, and inconvenience.rCY

The Eugene Police Department hired Brelsford in 2018, state records
show.

In response to a question about the alleged lack of probable cause for
the initial encounter, Kevin Yolken, an attorney representing Harty,
any confidential records or [body-worn camera] footage. EPD did not cite
Mr. Harty for anything related to the dispute inside his apartment (the
alleged basis for initial contact).rCY

The lawsuit states that police in the area of HartyrCOs apartment at 770
Tyler St. were approached by an apartment complex resident who rCLtold
officer Brelsford that two women could be heard arguing inside an
apartment.rCY

The resident told officers the dispute was verbal and not physical, and
that a man lived alone in the apartment, before leading police to
HartyrCOs apartment, according to the lawsuit.

Just before 1:30 p.m., Harty heard a knock on his window and stepped
outside when police asked him to do so, the lawsuit states.

Brelsford then allegedly rCLbegan giving additional commands without explanation,rCY telling Harty rCLto go stand over there,rCY the lawsuit
states.

Harty asked to get his service animal and reached for the door to his apartment, the lawsuit states, describing Harty as disabled, with a
service animal rCLtrained to perform tasks to assist with his disability.rCY

Brelsford is alleged to have then slammed the apartment door and pushed
Harty against a wall, grabbing HartyrCOs shoulder and arm while another
officer grabbed HartyrCOs other arm.

rCLThe two officers shouted conflicting commands and threatened to injure Plaintiff rCo still without any explanation rCo when Brelsford suddenly
yanked PlaintiffrCOs jacket collar and slammed him backwards onto the
concrete without warning,rCY the lawsuit states.

The lawsuit contends that rCLwithin seconds,rCY Brelsford rCLviolently kneed Plaintiff twice in the ribcage while Plaintiff was pinned to the ground, disoriented, and with his jacket pulled up over his head.rCY

Another officer is alleged to have then placed his body weight onto
Harty, who was then shocked by Brelsford with a Taser while his jacket
was still up over his head.

rCLThe word rCyarrestrCO was uttered for the first time after Defendant Brelsford had already beaten and Tased Plaintiff, and he was lying on
the concrete incapacitated and pinned down by two officers,rCY the lawsuit states. rCLBrelsford then shouted at Plaintiff to rCystop resisting arrestrCO as the other two officers pulled PlaintiffrCOs arms behind his back to
secure handcuffs.rCY

https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/justice/2026/06/11/lawsuit-al leges-excessive-force-by-eugene-police/
--- Synchronet 3.22a-Linux NewsLink 1.2