Wyoming Pays $500,000 Settlement For Police Restraint Death

In 2002 a Denver man died when police restrained him following a traffic accident near Cheyenne. The state of Wyoming has paid a $500,000 settlement in a federal lawsuit that was filed by relatives of 42 year old Bruce James Weigel.

Following a traffic accident Wyoming Highway Patrol officers used excessive weight to restrain Bruce James Weigel causing him to become unable to breathe. An autopsy report showed that Weigel died as a result of the restraining. In June, the state of Wyoming paid the settlement and a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit.

According to lawyer Bryan Ulmer who was representing Weigel's relatives and estate, the settlement requires the state attorney general to inform every law enforcement agency in the state about the case.