Advertisement

Taxpayers shelled out nearly $50,000 for case of police using excessive force

Greene County confirmed a payment after a Sunshine Law request.

May 10, 2012|by Paul Adler, KY3 News / Follow Paul on Facebook, Twitter @KY3Pad | Email padler@ky3.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- Taxpayers shelled out nearly $50,000 to a man who accused police of excessive force after his arrest in May of 2008.  Greene County confirmed a payment to John Sedersten of $27,500 after a Sunshine Law request was filed by KY3 News.  A previous Sunshine Law request to the City of Springfield revealed a $20,000 payment to Sedersten.

The Greene County Counselor writes, "Mr. Sedersten's claims against the County's correctional officer were settled at mediation. The County and Mr. Sedersten entered into a settlement agreement and release in which the County denied all liability and fault, but paid Mr. Sedersten the sum of $27,500 to avoid further costs and expenses of a trial."

KY3 News posted a previous story on the City of Springfield's resolution of that part of the case.   We reported the city paid $20,000 in 2011 to Sedersten who accused the police department of excessive force after his arrest in May 2008.

Advertisement

Sedersten filed the civil rights complaint in January 2009.  Sedersten wrote in his complaint that the arresting officer came to the Greene County jail a few hours after a traffic stop that led to his arrest.  Sedersten wrote that Officer Morris Taylor, “came into my holding sell (sic) and beat me while I was sleeping.”  Sedersten went on to say in his complaint that Taylor “relocated me to 2 other locations in the facility while continuing to beat on me.”

A Springfield Police Department investigation accused Taylor of striking Sedersten in the side with his knee and punching Sedersten in the head two times with a closed fist.  A booking officer reported Sedersten was hit three or four times by Taylor.  The report also says "Morris Taylor was yelling and cursing while he was interacting with Sedersten."

Later, KY3 also reported on the Springfield Police Department’s reaction to the accusation.

“Chief of Police Lynn Rowe says he had no choice but to fire one of his officers. He says video surveillance still in the evidence room showed Officer Morris Taylor crossed the line.  The prosecutor agrees.  (Taylor) He's been fired," the KY3 News report said.

KY3 News also reported on Sedersten’s arrest.

"Four people from Springfield are accused of identity theft, and of passing more than $100,000 in counterfeit checks.  John Sedersten, Max Snodgrass, Bryan Ray and Karen Harris were indicted by a federal grand jury.  Sedersten allegedly used fake checks to make nine withdrawals from a Greene County Sheriff's Department account, then made more than $34,000 in purchases," KY3 News reported.

In 2010, Sedersten admitted he stole people's identity and checking account information to make fake driver's licenses and for bogus checks.  KY3 News archives show he used the fake IDs to buy more than $55,000 from local businesses.  Some of the checks were used to draw money from the Greene County Sheriff's Department account.  He was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay $82,000 in restitution.

KY3 Articles
|
|
|