Mpls. pays $270K in excessive force lawsuit

The city of Minneapolis will pay more than $270,000 in an excessive force lawsuit, and most of it will go to the plaintiff's attorneys.

Last year, a jury found that Minneapolis Police Officer Sokhom Klann used excessive force when he hit Daniel Fancher on the head with a flashlight in 2012.

A federal court judge ruled Tuesday that the lawyers who represented Fancher will receive more than $243,519 dollars for legal fees and court expenses. Jurors awarded Fancher $27,640 in compensatory and punitive damages.

Attorney Ryan Vettleson of Gaskins, Bennett, Birrell, Schupp, LLP said his firm put more than 900 hours of employee time into the case.

The award is the largest payout by the city in an officer conduct lawsuit since 2013.

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