BY TIM WILLERT twillert@opubco.com
A civil jury in Oklahoma County has awarded a former inmate $39,000 in actual damages after finding that jail detention officers used excessive force against the woman nearly 10 years ago.
Jurors returned verdicts Friday in favor of plaintiff Dionne A. McKinney on two excessive-force claims against Sheriff John Whetsel, including negligent infliction of excessive force, court documents show.
“We do find by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant, John Whetsel, in his individual capacity, acted in reckless disregard of the rights of others,” jurors answered on the verdict form.
Whetsel's attorney could not be reached for comment.
Panel members were scheduled to return Monday to continue deliberating punitive damages, but attorneys for both sides reached a settlement over the weekend, court officials said.
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