Seattle Woman Files $1M Claim After Patrol Video Records Her Being Punched By Police Officer

A Seattle woman has filed a $1 million claim over an alleged assault by a city police officer, who punched her in the face after she kicked him while being handcuffed, The Seattle Times reported Thursday. Miyekko Durden-Bosley claimed that she was falsely arrested by Officer Adley Shepherd during a June 22 incident.

Durden-Bosley alleged that she was assaulted by the officer and suffered a fractured orbital in one eye and a severe concussion. A patrol-car video reportedly showed Shepherd punching the 23-year-old woman, who claimed that she had accidentally kicked the officer while being placed in the back of a patrol car. The claim was filed against the city of Seattle, more than a month after the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in December declined to bring a felony assault charge against Shepherd, stating that the state’s law allows police to use “all necessary means” to make an arrest or overcome resistance to arrest.

Durden-Bosley claimed that she spent several days in King County jail, “wrongfully incarcerated and suffering the effects of her injuries caused” by the officer, before being released without any charges filed against her. The claim reportedly serves as a precursor to a lawsuit unless it is settled, The Seattle Times reported.

Police initially took Durden-Bosley into custody for questioning about a domestic violence incident outside a South Seattle home, following a complaint. But she was later booked for assaulting the police officer, The Seattle Times reported.

The FBI is reportedly assisting a criminal review, conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle, to determine whether Durden-Bosley’s civil rights were violated.

The Seattle Police Department’s internal investigation into whether the officer violated department policy, has been put on hold due to the criminal review, The Seattle Times reported, adding that Shepherd is on administrative leave until the investigation is completed.