Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal appeals court on Friday agreed with a federal judge who ruled that Bremerton police did not use excessive force or violate picnickers’ rights in a brawl at a Bremerton park.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it was OK for U.S. District Judge Robert Bryan to dismiss a suit against the city and several police officers in a case stemming from a 1996 arrest.
Officers on patrol said a confrontation developed after they spotted Kevin Blake, who was wanted for a probation violation, at a family picnic.
In the melee that followed, two picnickers attempted to assault police officers, who in turn used pepper spray on several people, including Blake’s mother, Jeannine Jackson.
She and others were arrested and claimed excessive force.
The appeals court and Bryan ruled that police did not use excessive force when quelling the situation.
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