— by Lin McNulty, Managing Editor —
A civil lawsuit was filed on February 14, 2019 in U.S. District Court alleging grievous and irreparable bodily injury from excessive force by San Juan Sheriff’s Deputies during an unlawful arrest.
The Complaint for Damages and Demand for Jury, was filed by Daniel Fowler of Orcas. In the Complaint, he asserts that he was “arrested and subjected to police brutality” inside his residence on or about March 7, 2016 which resulted in a broken shoulder. Fowler is represented by the Law Office of Nicholas Power in Friday Harbor.
Defendants in the case are San Juan County, Ronald Krebs individually and in his official capacity as Sheriff, and Raymond Harvey individually and in his official capacity as Deputy Sheriff.
Neither Sheriff Krebs nor Prosecutor Randy Gaylord was able to comment, noting that the County has not been served with any notice.
Court documents are available HERE.
Wow……just wow.
I hope people read the supporting documents fully.
Please do read the supporting documents people , this seems pretty open and shut. Once again our Sheriff’s office embarrasses our County, and likely will cost us tax payers money once again. I hope the defendant is awarded damages.
The residents should not have to fear a Sheriff’s deputy coming to your house, entering illegally and essentially breaking your arm because you spoke ill to them. Action NEEDS to be taken.
Well, THAT was disturbing. Thanks for covering this issue.
Is anyone surprised….really?
Please remember that an attorney can allege anything in a complaint filing, whether it is true or not.
Do not baldly and uncritically assume that the wrongs alleged in Attorney Powers’s pleading are true and correct. They all may not be; or some of them may be correct, and others not.
When the plaintiff’s attorney writes a complaint, it is considered proper to make the defendant look as bad as possible in it. After all, the truth, whatever it may actually be, will eventually be decided in the trial being sought.
Do not pillory the Sheriff’s Office quite yet. Wait for the actual trial and its outcome.
Also ask yourself why the plaintiff and his attorney seek a trial now, about three years after the event. Why wasn’t this complaint filed sooner?
Steve, excellent points and all should be considered at trial.
This, however will likely never get there. Given the tenuous position and possible charges relating to felonious actions of the sitting sheriff due to lying on the stand and misstating his actions under oath in the recent camera issue, I can’t imagine that the county insurance pool will let this see the light of a court room. Every legal issue involving our Sheriff going forward is tainted as his credibility is shot.
Could it be that that is why “now” is the moment to bring the suit?
If you note the date of the incident and the date of the filing, you will see that the statute of limitations was about to expire. Also, to Steve’s point about law suit filings painting a case most favorable to its side, few rely as significantly as this one on records of the defendant. The sheriff’s records demonstrate on their own the deliberate misfeasance at the heart of this case. And in addition to focusing on the potential financial impact to taxpayers, it would seem reasonable to ask if either deputy involved was disciplined.
I won’t comment on the pros or cons of this artical other than, the request for an opportunity for a Jury Trial.. is it consistent to then have related documents that could taint a juries selection??
This whole situation lacks… this is not about gudgement, but feeds more to question of right and wronged.
Clyde, considering this is filed in a federal court in Seattle I don’t see how this can taint a jury.