The city of Portland may drop its appeal of a jury verdict last year that found a Portland police officer negligent when he shot and killed a man in the middle of a mental health crisis.
Mayor Keith Wilson told city attorneys in a letter Monday that he is exercising his authority and withdrawing the appeal.
“I believe the authority to appeal was improvidently granted, and I do not believe it is in the interest of the city or community to continue the appeal,” Wilson wrote. “Instead, I believe the appeal should be dismissed to bring some closure to this matter for the family and the community.”
The mayor cited his “separate ability under code to determine whether to authorize an appeal.” It was not immediately clear if Wilson can make this decision unilaterally.
In a letter, Portland Mayor Keith Wilson told the city to drop its appeal in the case of Michael Townsend, who was shot and killed by Portland police in 2021.
Courtesy of Mayor Keith Wilson's Office
Wilson’s letter reverses the city’s course from last year. City attorneys had contended the jury misunderstood Oregon’s new use of force laws and, in September, got the OK from the Portland City Council to move forward.
Michael Townsend was fatally shot June 24, 2021 after he called 911 and said he felt suicidal, had taken methamphetamine and wanted a ride to the hospital.
Townsend reportedly became agitated when police officers on the scene said he needed a pat-down before he could get into an ambulance. Court records said Townsend took out a hand tool and began “advancing” toward the officers. Officer Curtis Brown opened fire.
Attorneys for Townsend’s family successfully argued in court that Brown erred by not trying to verbally de-escalate the situation or considering other, less-lethal options. A jury awarded Townsend’s family $1,030,661.
Michael Fuller, who represented Townsend’s family, commended Wilson and city leaders on Monday.
“We really appreciate the reconsideration of the city council and we’re glad they were able to do right by the Townsend family,” Fuller said. “It took a lot of courage to reconsider a decision that was previously made.”
Security camera footage shows police officers and firefighter paramedics talking to Michael Ray Townsend moments before being shot and killed by Portland police officer Curtis Brown.
Courtesy of the Portland Police
Wilson’s decision came after consulting with Portland police’s rank-and-file union this afternoon, according to spokesperson Cody Bowman. Aaron Schmautz, who heads the union, declined to comment.
