Jury Says CHP Used Excessive Force, Awards 72-Year-Old Damages

A Tehama County jury awarded nearly $90,000 to a 72-year-old Cottonwood man who was roughed up by three California Highway Patrol officers.

The jurors ruled that the officers used excessive force while they were looking for a stolen motorcycle at Jack Nolan’s house in 2006.

In his lawsuit, Nolan says the officers threw him to the floor, struck him and kneed him repeatedly in the head and neck.

They did so despite knowing they could be at the wrong house, according to the lawsuit.

CHP spokesman Steve Rauch (RAW-sh) told The Associated Press that the officers showed up at the address listed on the search warrant.

Investigations by the department and the state Attorney General’s Office found the officers had properly restrained Nolan, who was the owner of the home listed on the warrant. CHP officers at the time described him as agitated.

Rauch said the CHP is considering filing an appeal of the verdict, which was filed in Tehama County Superior Court.