Former OSU student to receive $30k judgement in excessive force case
The City of Columbus has been ordered to pay a $30,000 judgement in a case of excessive force used by police.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that the case dates back to 2012 when Ohio State student Joseph Hines (then 20-year-old) was arrested and later charged with half-a-dozen misdemeanors connected to underage drinking and resisting arrest. Hines says that during his arrest, Officer Thomas DeWitt sat on his back and punched him as many as six times in the head and face as Hines complained that he couldn’t breathe.
DeWitt admits to punching Hines.
Originally, Hines and his family had sought a $5 million judgement. They’ll collect 30 grand. Officer DeWitt remains an active duty officer with the CPD.
The judgement of the court was made at the end of September. Columbus City Council voted to approve the expenditure Monday night. (jj)
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