Oregon motorcyclist kicked by cop awarded $180G to settle excessive force claim

EUGENE, Ore. — A federal jury has ruled in favor of a Eugene motorcyclist who was kicked in the chest by an Oregon State Police captain after a chase.

The jury awarded Justin Wilkens $180,000 on Jan. 14 to settle his excessive force claim in the August 2012 incident, the Register-Guard reports.

“I’m just happy as heck,” Wilkens, 41, said as he left the courthouse.

Video of the incident shows Wilkens speeding past Capt. Rob Edwards, who was in an unmarked police car. Edwards began to pursue Wilkens and then rear-ended his motorcycle. The police captain can then be seen pointing a gun at Wilkens and kicking him in the chest.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ore-biker-awarded-180g-excessive-force-claim-article-1.2508227