Police officer indicted in death of Otto Zehm
Spokane, Washington, June 22, 2009 - According to the Associated Press, a federal grand jury has indicted Officer Karl Thompson for striking and tasering 36-year-old Otto Zehm during a confrontation with police in a convenience store on March 18, 2006. Mr Zehm, who was developmentally disabled, never regained consciousness, and died two days after the incident. His death was ruled a homicide. From the article:
For more detailed coverage of the indictment of Karl Thompson, see this article by KXLY.
Spokane, Washington, June 22, 2009 - According to the Associated Press, a federal grand jury has indicted Officer Karl Thompson for striking and tasering 36-year-old Otto Zehm during a confrontation with police in a convenience store on March 18, 2006. Mr Zehm, who was developmentally disabled, never regained consciousness, and died two days after the incident. His death was ruled a homicide. From the article:
The indictment contends Officer Karl Thompson deprived Otto Zehm of his civil rights and made a false statement to investigators. He was accused of repeatedly striking Zehm with a baton and Tasering him in a convenience store.To read a Wikipedia article about the incident and the subsequent death of Otto Zehm, see here.
City officials have said Zehm refused police orders to drop a two-liter bottle of soda he was holding, and fought with officers.
U.S. Attorney James McDevitt said Thompson will likely be the only officer indicted.
For more detailed coverage of the indictment of Karl Thompson, see this article by KXLY.
