SEATTLE — A man who made headlines after he was arrested while walking on a sidewalk carrying a golf club is suing the Seattle Police Department.
KOMO-TV reported that William Wingate is alleging that his arrest in July 2014 was racially motivated. Wingate is African American and was 69-years-old when Officer Cynthia Whitlach arrested him on suspicion of harassment and obstructing a police officer, even though patrol car video disputed her account and the Police Department eventually apologized.
Wingate said he had been using the golf club as a cane.
His lawsuit references racially charged comments Whitlach had posted on Facebook. Wingate claims he’s suffered from post-traumatic stress and depression since the arrest, and that he’s now afraid of police. No dollar amount is listed in the lawsuit.
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