PORT ANGELES — A city in northwestern Washington has denied any liability in response to a federal lawsuit filed by a former journalist, who claims a police officer broke his wrist and bloodied his nose.
The Peninsula Daily News reports Port Townsend claims in new court filings that the city is not entitled to pay any damages because the police officer did not assault Stephen Patch.
Patch filed a suit in December against Officer Patrick Fudally, the police department and the city, claiming negligence and deprivation of rights.
According to the suit, Patch would call police for help with his disabled son. He called police in December 2014, and he punched a wall out of frustration. The officer then handcuffed patch, causing the injuries.
The city declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.
