Man files lawsuit against police
PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) — A Saudi man filed a $5 million federal civil rights lawsuit on Friday against police in Eugene, claiming he was beaten "Rodney King-style" when officers responded to a fight at a bowling alley two years ago.

Mohammed Nesayan claims he was beaten after he and his younger brother had left the bowling alley and were walking down the street on March 6, 2003. The fight followed an argument between Nesayan and his brother and two men from Mexico.

"Between the official documents, eyewitness accounts and the police car videotape, it is clear that this was a Rodney King-style beating totally disproportionate to any appropriate professional use of force," said Kelly Clark, attorney for Nesayan, referring to the 1991 videotaped beating of a black man by Los Angeles police, which led to the 1992 riot after officers were acquitted of wrongdoing.

A police video of the arrest showed a fight between Nesayan and officers that left him bloodied.

Nesayen was sentenced in January to a year and a half on probation after he was convicted of attempted assault on a police officer.

Sunday, March 6, 2005