Wassillie Gregory and the City of Bethel have settled out of court related to an incident in which the man was roughly arrested by a former Bethel police officer in the AC parking lot.
Gregory’s Attorney Sean Brown filed a lawsuit earlier this month against the city and former officer Andrew Reid, seeking damages. He argued that Reid violated Gregory’s civil rights and committed assault and battery in what he described as an “attack” last July.
The complaint says Gregory presented no threat to the officer and that the city is liable for Reid’s conduct. It claims the city knew of other complaints against Reid and did not properly investigate.
Brown says the terms of the settlement are confidential but that the case is dismissed as part of the settlement.
A judge earlier this month dismissed Gregory’s conviction for harassment afterthe video surfaced in early April.
Gregory pleaded guilty last year to the harassment charge without the assistance of an attorney. He originally faced charges for harassment, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. The latter charges were dismissed with original guilty plea.
From a distance the video shows the arrest in which the intoxicated Gregory is slammed to the ground several times. Brown’s complaint on behalf of Gregory says the officer pepper sprayed Gregory in the face and that he suffered a fractured shoulder and rib, requiring medical treatment in Anchorage.
Reid was hired by the city in 2012 and fired in March of this year.
Ben Matheson is a contributor with the Alaska Public Radio Network.
