After listening to 11 days of testimony and deliberating the the better part of three days, a federal jury took a middle path with their verdict on Friday.
Of the four main claims made in the lawsuit by the parents of Douglas Ostling, the mentally ill man who was fatally shot by Bainbridge police in 2010, the jury agreed with just one – that the Bainbridge Island Police Department failed to properly train officers in how to deal with the mentally ill. The jury awarded the Ostlings $1 million.
The jury disagreed with claims that officers illegally entered the Ostling family’s home, used unnecessary force and failed to render aid to the wounded Douglas Ostling.
How do you feel about the verdict? Cast your vote over to the right.
Head down below to see the results from the Bainbridge Conversation’s poll on how the city should pay for road fixes.
Most respondents (42 percent) said the city should make more cuts to repair and maintain its crumbling roads.
Coming in second at 25 percent was the idea of an annual $20 car tab fee.
About 16 percent favor the voter-approved bond idea currently under discussion by city leaders.
The idea of fixing island roads with federal and state grants pulled 10 percent.
About 7 percent said the roads are fine as they are, and that no additional funding is needed.
This “chicken” decision by the jury renders it as irresponsible as the Kitsap County Prosecutor, BIPD and former COBI city manager.
Shame on this jury for finding that the BIPD did not illegally enter the Ostling family home, use excessive force and indeed prevent the rendering of aid to the wounded Doug Ostling for 1 1/2 hours during which he bled to death.
Duh!
This decision of the jury and whomever allowed them to become jury members in the first place are appalling!