Facts

The City of Vallejo, settled an excessive lawsuit brought by Robert Strong. Strong was thrown to the ground and choked as he recorded the incident involving Vallejo police officer Jarrett Tonn. Strong stated that he was walking to his car, after getting off a bus, when Tonn drove past in the opposite direction. As Strong opened his car door, Tonn made a U-turn, pulled up to Strong and asked what he was doing in the neighborhood. Capturing the incident on his cellphone, the video begins with Tonn stating that the vehicle has expired tags. Strong sat in the driver's seat with his back partially turned to Tonn. When Tonn reaches inside the car for the cell phone, Strong objects and Tonn then reaches for Strong's left arm in an attempt to arrest Strong. Tonn pulls Strong from the car, tackling him to the ground and wraps his arm around Strong's neck. The phone is then knocked from Strong's hand while Tonn repeatedly asks him to put his hand behind his back. Strong was subsequently arrested and detained for two hours.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended that Tonn pulled him out of his vehicle without warning after he refused to stop filming the traffic stop. He also alleged that Tonn used the controversial carotid control hold, also known as a vascular neck constraint.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant alleged that he feared for his safety when Strong refused to stop recording. Further, the City argued that Tonn applied a control hold and that he never applied any pressure on Strong's carotid.

Result

The case settled for $52,500.