Oklahoma Man Settles Suit Over Excessive Force Claim

The city of Tulsa, Okla., has settled an excessive force lawsuit filed by a man who was shot repeatedly with a pepper-ball launcher by Tulsa police.

An order filed Thursday says the city agreed to a $25,000 settlement over claims against Sgt. Christopher Witt and Officer Tina Kennemer.

Court records allege that police were called to a hotel because Richard Smith remained in a room after checkout. The Tulsa World reports that police shot Smith with a pepper-ball launcher after Smith refused to leave his room.

His attorney, Donald Smolen II, says the repeated shooting was unnecessary and left welts and abrasions on Smith’s body.

City of Tulsa Litigation Division Manager Gerald Bender says the facts of the case made it necessary to consider a settlement over a trial.