Michelle Springer v. Jason Wickum and Kyle Meier

Michelle Springer, individually and as the administrator of the Estate of Mark Keeley, deceased 13, sued Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Jason Wickum and Chouteau County Sheriff's Deputy Kyle Meier on negligence theories for the wrongful death of Mark, who was shot to death by the Defendants on April 21, 2007. Keeley stole a car and then stole gas for the car from a Chester, Montana gas station. When Meier tried to pull Keeley over, he fled, leading Meier on a high speed chase on Highway 223 toward Fort Benton. He also shot at Defendants with a 16-guage shotgun. Mark was 13-yearsold. Plaintiff claimed that Defendants used excessive force when they shot and killed her son. She claimed that Defendants did not follow proper police procedures and training.

Defendants denied wrongdoing.

Defendants' verdict.

Donald Van Blaricom, Bellevue, Washington, police training and conduct and Alan Baxter, police officers standards and training instructor

Jim Pugel, Assistance Seattle Police Chief, Seattle, Washington