Judge: King County willfully withheld info in Harris case
TACOMA, Wash. -- A Pierce County judge reprimanded the King County Sheriff's Office for its handling of the case of Christopher Harris, who suffered brain damage when he was slammed against a wall by a King County deputy in 2009.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Arend ruled Friday that the county acted in bad faith when it failed to turn over to Harris' family information about two other incidents in which the involved deputy reportedly used excessive force. Finding the county guilty of intentional misconduct and acting reprehensibly, the judge ordered the county pay the family $300,000 -- a mere fraction of the $3.3 million sought by the family.
Finding the county guilty of intentional misconduct and acting reprehensibly, the judge ordered the county pay the family $300,000 -- a mere fraction of the $3.3 million sought by the family.
The damage awarded is in addition to the $10 million King County already paid to the family of Harris, who can no longer talk, walk or feed himself. Harris' doctors say he will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life.
King County Sheriff Steve Strachan, in response to the judge's ruling, said he does not believe the department intentionally withheld information. He added the department is working to resolve issues with deputies' use of force.
Harris was injured when he was hit by Deputy Matthew Paul. Surveillance video from the Cinerama movie theater in downtown Seattle showed Harris racing toward Paul, who appeared to have stopped with his arms outspread, and of giving him a shove that knocked the smaller man eight feet and through the air into the base of a wall.
Witnesses said the incident began when several men, some covered in blood, ran into a convenience store where Harris had been shopping. Deputies chasing down the suspect were mistakenly told by witnesses that Harris was the man they wanted. Harris had not been in the fight, but he ran.
The surveillance video shows the end of the chase as moviegoers are exiting from the Cinerama theater, about 2½ blocks from where the chase began.
Harris comes into view, makes a slight turn and slows down as Paul gives him a fierce shove, knocking him off his feet. Harris' head slams into the base of a tiled wall outside the movie house.
Two witnesses said Harris seemed to be stopping and said, "I don't have anything, I didn't steal anything," just before he was hit by Paul, who weighed about 270 pounds, about 100 pounds more than Harris.
One deputy acknowledged on the witness stand that the deputies did not identify themselves to Harris before they started chasing him.
County prosecutors declined to file charges against Paul, saying there was no legal basis for a criminal charge; however, an internal affairs investigation was never opened against the deputy.
Earlier this week, a scathing independent audit criticized the King County Sheriff's Office for what it called excessive use of force in the Harris incident. The 70-page report said the department needs some serious improvements when looking at shootings, the use of force, and the internal reviews that follow.
The report was the second harsh critique the department received in recent months. In June, another audit and a separate consultant's report both blasted the office, saying front-line sergeants don't hold deputies responsible in misconduct cases. The audit also found that use-of-force investigations often don't go anywhere.
Pierce County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Arend ruled Friday that the county acted in bad faith when it failed to turn over to Harris' family information about two other incidents in which the involved deputy reportedly used excessive force. Finding the county guilty of intentional misconduct and acting reprehensibly, the judge ordered the county pay the family $300,000 -- a mere fraction of the $3.3 million sought by the family.
Finding the county guilty of intentional misconduct and acting reprehensibly, the judge ordered the county pay the family $300,000 -- a mere fraction of the $3.3 million sought by the family.
The damage awarded is in addition to the $10 million King County already paid to the family of Harris, who can no longer talk, walk or feed himself. Harris' doctors say he will need 24-hour care for the rest of his life.
King County Sheriff Steve Strachan, in response to the judge's ruling, said he does not believe the department intentionally withheld information. He added the department is working to resolve issues with deputies' use of force.
Harris was injured when he was hit by Deputy Matthew Paul. Surveillance video from the Cinerama movie theater in downtown Seattle showed Harris racing toward Paul, who appeared to have stopped with his arms outspread, and of giving him a shove that knocked the smaller man eight feet and through the air into the base of a wall.
Witnesses said the incident began when several men, some covered in blood, ran into a convenience store where Harris had been shopping. Deputies chasing down the suspect were mistakenly told by witnesses that Harris was the man they wanted. Harris had not been in the fight, but he ran.
The surveillance video shows the end of the chase as moviegoers are exiting from the Cinerama theater, about 2½ blocks from where the chase began.
Harris comes into view, makes a slight turn and slows down as Paul gives him a fierce shove, knocking him off his feet. Harris' head slams into the base of a tiled wall outside the movie house.
Two witnesses said Harris seemed to be stopping and said, "I don't have anything, I didn't steal anything," just before he was hit by Paul, who weighed about 270 pounds, about 100 pounds more than Harris.
One deputy acknowledged on the witness stand that the deputies did not identify themselves to Harris before they started chasing him.
County prosecutors declined to file charges against Paul, saying there was no legal basis for a criminal charge; however, an internal affairs investigation was never opened against the deputy.
Earlier this week, a scathing independent audit criticized the King County Sheriff's Office for what it called excessive use of force in the Harris incident. The 70-page report said the department needs some serious improvements when looking at shootings, the use of force, and the internal reviews that follow.
The report was the second harsh critique the department received in recent months. In June, another audit and a separate consultant's report both blasted the office, saying front-line sergeants don't hold deputies responsible in misconduct cases. The audit also found that use-of-force investigations often don't go anywhere.
I appreciate the KCSO a great deal and have a very good friend who is a deputy.  I say that to say this--Matt Paul should not be allowed to wear any uniform.  He has shown repeatedly he cannot control himself in the heat of the moment, and he isn't worthy of the uniform.  For all intents and purposes he murdered this man, and he should be charged with aggravated assault now, and manslaughter when poor Mr. Harris dies. Â
Wow, after 10 mil already they want 3 more? Â What am I missing? Â I didn't follow facts here but the court had decided in the young mans favor against the PD. Â It's now a done deal and everyone had their day in court... Â I don't get the additional move here. Â
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Also the cop bashing. Â Did they get the badge from the cop? Â To me we need more cops...with more screening (less delayed stress please) and much, much deeper training. Â We would all benefit from a PD that is better trained to handle constantly chaining challenges in the streets and under a lot less stress from too much OT. Â Â
 @teahater Do you have any idea how much it costs to support Mr. Harris?  Any idea at all?  Not to mention it isn't about the money, it's about the jackbooted thug who committed this crime to begin with.  The ten million, if the family is lucky, will support Mr. Harris for the rest of his life.  In this scenario ten million may not even be enough.  You, teahater, may not be a jerk, but your post sure was.  Not to mention how uninformed it is. Â
 @teahater $10mil will not cover the care he will need for the rest of his life.
 @teahater They now have a son - a young man who once had a future - who is a vegetable. How much is that "worth" to you? If it were YOUR child, what would YOU settle for? And how far would you go to try to see that it does not happen to another?
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This case and a number of others seem - to me - to match that behavior known as "'roid rage": officers abusing steroids without the benefit of a USADA to insist on regular testing for "performance enhancing drugs" and resultant sanctions for violations. Steroid misuse is linked to loss of emotional control and excessively violent responsive during stressful events - such as running two and a half blocks.We knock star athletes right out of the business and take away all their awards for doing this - but we hold police officers to no such standards.
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Insofar as I have heard, "Officer Unfriendly" is still on patrol with the Metro Transit Police - a division of the King County Sheriff's Office and a haunt for the Sheriff's "problem officers". Don't try to ride free or you could end up "paying" :-\
 @JLS1950  @teahater I know a competitive body builder who used roids for a long time.  He also is in law enforcement.  He's never done anything like this ever.  Ever.  Don't blame the roids.  Blame the officer. Â
Because the 10 mil case was strictly over the police abuse of power. This new case was because the police were found guilty of hiding evidence in the case. Its actually quite routine in both criminal and civil cases. The prosecution will just ignore evidence that hurts their case. @teahater
I have a box of badges for all you police complainers who think nobody does police work properly. Why don't YOU get out there and walk the walk? You don't because you're just talk with no basis or care to work with the public. You would react the same ,or worse, based on how foul and contrite your comments and rebuttals are!
I wear dark clothes, I'm an ethnic minority, and the only time I've ever been "Harrassed", well in retrospect "I deserved it." Grow up. society has a lot of problems and most of them start in the mirror.
 @Phareis Everyone agrees there was unlawful use of force in this case.  So should you!.  If not, you are the problem.
 @Phareis Well said, man.  We are all human beings and I do not envy your job.  I couldn't do it.  I've not had too many encounters with the police but have always found that after any initial "stink mouth" contact that responding with respect has always been met with mutual respect.  Of course I'm talking about my circumstances and believe me they have been more routine.
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That said...Since you are in possession of a public sacred trust in this matter you better be damn sure you can do the job. You have elected to rise to the call and do it...I admire that and you will see no complaint from me...unless I get harassed and don't deserve it. Â
I have been harassed by both KCS and SPD, it was inexcusable. In Woodinville a sheriff vehicle raced up behind me in my old van and followed about two feet back for a quarter of a mile and then left me alone as I was doing nothing wrong and he could not push me to.
In the fraternity row area I was waiting for some friends to show up for fourth of July. I was 30 or 40 minutes early so I decided to take a walk around the block. I take a lot of photos so I had my camera. A university patrol saw me from a half a block away and began following. They drove walking speed watching me but did not approach. This went on for two blocks until I reached my car and called my friends. They (the cops) saw me on the phone and drove away without talking to me. I did not feel safe approaching them because this happened around the time of the Harris incident.
Nice way to treat citizens walking down the street! I even sent them a complaint that was not responded to.
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This is normal behavior for all cops. They run up on your tail to try and make you nervous and make a mistake and then that gives them reasonable cause to pull you over. Its one of the oldest tricks in the books. Its also a form of entrapment. Trying to get you to do something you wouldn't normally do. Its all about revenue. Cops are on quotas and so they have to write a certain amount of tickets every month. And of course they're all looking for that big felony bust. It looks real nice on their resume. @Elvis
And you clearly have no concept of what entrapment is...
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I heard that there wasn't quotas and cops can write as many tickets as they want. If they were as badge heavy and corrupt as everyone claims, why would they even wait for you to do "something you normally wouldn't". Why not just pull people over at random and make stuff up like everyone claims they do anyway?
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And just so I get this right, are you saying you DON'T want cops to be looking for or making the "big felony bust"? I thought the usual rant of all the people that get tickets was how come the cops AREN'T catching "real" criminals? Now I am confused.
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Maybe you could explain what you *would* like them to do. Maybe just sit in the station and wait for criminals to come turn themselves in? I am sure society would work so much better on the honor system.
 @CommonSense Tailing law-abiding citizens who have exhibited no illegal behavior is great police work in your book?  Why aren't these guys out busting meth labs or something a bit more useful to society.
 @CommonSense Too bad we can't count on our police to be accountable.Â
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You spend a lot of time desperate to defend the indefensible. Â
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Oh well.... That is your choice. Â
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Having cops follow you on two occasions, without being stopped or contacted. Wow that really does sound like some serious "harassment". Any idea why you have been "targeted"? Have you found a lawyer yet to fight this injustice?
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Clearly you have no concept of what real harassment is...
 @CommonSense Are you of the opinion that the citizens SHOULD be afraid to approach the police?
 @Elvis  @CommonSense Sure you did.  You just don't know what it is.  Perhaps somebody else in a van did something so they had to check your van out (which they did, and then they left).  And they also saw you hanging out on fraternity row and checked you out again.  Paranoid much?
 @CommonSense It was an"accident" that the officer used his entire body weight to slam the kid into a concrete wall?  Whoops.
What "Treatment" did you receive? You said while you were out in public, you were briefly followed, not contacted, and then they left.
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Did I miss something? Do you think that while in public, no one should happen along the same path as you, that there should be some sort of privacy buffer of 500' all around you at all times?
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Newsflash, it's an urban area. If you go out in public, there are going to be other people in close proximity to you. That's why it is called "public".
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Maybe you should spend a little time in self-reflection to try and determine the root of your paranoia.
 @CommonSense I did not do anything to deserve the treatment I received.
No, why would you think I was? I've been a citizen for 49 years and have never been afraid to approach any cop. Of course I also don't give them reason to come after or suspect me for things by generally following the law and acting as a responsible member of society.
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The few times they have come after me it has been rightfully so. I have worn handcuffs just once in my life at the tender age of 11 after shoplifting. IÂ realised I didn't want it to become a habit so I changed my ways and followed the rules. The other times I have been "targeted" for their "harassment" is when I have chosen to violate traffic laws. I took my chances, I paid the consequences. They were just doing their job, nothing personal. I have never been "entraped" for anything. With so many criminals out there doing stuff, I don't see why they would want to bother entrapping anyone. Seems like it would just be easier and less work to deal with the people who commit crimes of their own volition.
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I don't hang out in the wee hours of the morning buying drugs in alleyways, I don't run when they decide to approach me, and I recognize a uniformed police officer when I see one, even if he doesn't scream "police" (badges and gun belts are what I hear they refer to as "clues" in police work). All of these things come under "personal responsibility". The world would be a better place if more people exercised it.
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Did Mr. Harris "deserve" what happened? Certainly not. However you can't remove his actions from the chain of events. He does in fact share some responsibility for what happened though by putting himself in a postition to have it happen.
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Is the Deputy at fault? Certainly to a degree, but it was an accident. I will even go so far as to agree there was some negligence and over zealousness, but there was never any intent to slam Harris into a wall and put him in a coma. Yet all of the cop haters want the cop to be punished more than they want people who actually intentionally commit horrific acts to be punished.
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You cop haters want to make it sound like every cop out there is a ticking time bomb who at any moment might just pick some random citizen to go off on and brutalize. I am honeslty suprised anyone even wants the job. I say get rid of the zookeeper and let the animals deal with the law of the jungle.
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 @CommonSense I know it can get MUCH worse as demonstrated in the Harris case.
this is what happens when NFL, WWE, and UFC rejects become cops...
two types of people who become cops. Bullies and those who were bullied!
Does anybody know if Mathew Paul still has a badge?
 @Hagar Still a transit cop, I believe. That is where KCSO hides deputies that are problems - especially the abusive ones - but which it does not have resources or stamina to outright fire because of union backlash.
@Hagar The nightly news said he does.
 @Hagar Precisely my question - I'd also like him to be behind bars in general population. What a monster.
Now it's time for a civil lawsuit against that deputy, let him feel the monitary pain instead of pushing it off on us tax payers.
First let me say that this story is right in saying that the Kind County Sheriffs Department was in the wrong - but lets get the facts straight - Chris Harris was NOT at the convenience store - nor was he EVER involved in the incident that lead to this event. Chris was an innocent victim of Seattle Police brutality. Yes he ran but when 2 unidentified men came running at you down a dark alley for no reason, what would you do? Chris did what most of us would do, he ran to a well lit area where he felt it was safe, only he didn't know he had to fear Deputy Matt Paul. This Deputy should at least be fired if not thrown in jail with criminal charges. It's easy for everyone to sit on the side lines and listen to half facts and play judge & jury but the fact of the matter is Chris was innocent and Matthew Paul deserves to be in jail. Chris was a wonderfu and caring person and did not deserve this. I can only hope that Matthew Paul will rot in hell! No amount of money will make up what this "deputy" took from Chris!
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 @Wickedwitch  @Mary Eh?  Ok then!  Dark streets, two men wearing dark clothing chasing you where you just witnessed trouble.  Mr Harris was knocked back with such force that he is no longer able to live a life.  The officer could have easily shoved him in a way that didn't involve a solid wall.  The officer is in the wrong.  Done.
Guess its some kind a victory for the King County taxpayers, not so much for the Harris family..
Actually you got that backwards. The victory is for the family who keeps cashing on this accident. While tragic, there is some reponsibility on both sides. If $10 million didn't "fix" it, what is another $300,000 going to do?Â
 @CommonSense  Yeah having your son become a vegetable it a real win.
 @Windowseat On Friday Pierce County Judge Stephanie Arend agreed with Harris's contention and levied a $300,000 penalty against the county, payable to the victim.
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Arend also said a future hearing will be held to determine if even more damages should be awarded to the family.
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Its not over. Â You would think KOMO would have reported this.
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 @Andrew Bush  @Windowseat So now that the family has $10,300,000 to spend, how much damage to the victim will be fixed? Call me coldhearted, but I see new Lexus'es and houses for the caring family more than endless pursuit of health for their family member. Just how many of the world's top surgeons they got on speed dial?
 @FreeCoffeeNow! You run on about nothing. You dont see lexus's in the druiveway you are just making a real stupid incinuation about this family.Â
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You talk about your honor student well put your child in Christophers place. Â How would you like being lied to and there was a cover up after your son was put in a coma by an officer who also is such a cowrad he told paramedics he ran into the wall face first. Â
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Call you coldhearted? Â No you are something else. Â
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 @Andrew Bush  @Windowseat Just so's everyone knows I don't lump up all eggs or call a kettle black unless it is, when my wife got pregnant, we were told by a nearly endless file of doctors that we couldn't risk a child. We have supposedly incompatible blood types, and she has Rh factor from a childhood transfusion. Yet two of my three honors students are walking our dog, while the third reads a book. Impossible is a very non accountable word.
Deputy Matthew Paul needs to be thrown in a woodchipper. He's certainly not the kind of person that should be a law enforcement officer. The officers on the scene never saw any on the disturbance take place so they had no legal authority to assault anyone. And one of things that need to be done is we have got to start testing officers for steroids. A lot of this violent behavior is caused by officers using drugs. Testing for steroids is a hard and expensive thing to do but its got to be done. And put the power to hire and fire officers back into the hands of the chief and not in the hands of the corrupt unions representing these officers.
 @Blindman The Unions both Seattle and King County have been fighting to deny the tax payers the right to drug test for decades. Â
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DRUG TEST!!! Â Â Imagine all the trash we could get rid of if we only were allowed to. Â Instead we get to pay lawsuits and settlements. Â
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The corruption never ends.Â
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Sh**s happen. Â That's all she wrote. Â
 @BestBondEver! You wouldn't be saying that if that was somebody you cared about laying there.Â
 @FremontTroll I didn't mean it that way.  All I was saying was - just like any war or war against crimes - there are collateral damages. Â
So please explain why Mr. Harris would be in that alley in the first place? Because he got off his job as a server in Edmonds, had some drinks and paid a buddy $60 to drive him to Belltown and told his buddy he would be right back. He wasn't in that alley to spread the gospel he was there to buy drugs. Unfortunately for him someone pointed him out (wrongly) as a bad guy with a weapon which started the terrible turn of events. Mr. Harris who at this point either was looking to buy drugs or just did buy drugs panicked when he saw the police and took off running (for the wrong reason) The police chasing him thought he was armed because of false information. The ending was the tragic part but if Mr. Harris wasn't in that alley looking to score some drugs this would of never occured. Here is a link to a couple of articles explaining why he was in Belltown.
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http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/video-released-of-belltown-takedown-involving-depu/nKkf2/
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This second link his attorney declines to discuss why Mr. Harris was in Belltown..........gee I wonder why.
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http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2010/may/17/man-tackled-by-officer-in-seattle-still/?print=1
 @lakeunion Nobody deserves what this kid got. I don't care if he was in the alley trying to get drugs, picking his nose, or plotting to rob a bank. He didn't deserve this fate.Â
 @lakeunion Blame the victim, huh" You probably believe in "legitimate" rape as well.
 @lakeunion Why Harris was in that alley is completely irrelevant to this case.
 @lakeunion Just so you know lakeunion... everything the news stations report or what you may read on the internet is not always the correct information.
 @lakeunion And does it really matter why he was there - it doesn't make his treatment ok. Tthis man could have been told to get on his knees and arrested rather than having his head slammed into a wall and laying in a hospital bed the rest of his life.