FARGO (KFGO-AM) - Court documents say all criminal charges but one have been dropped against the driver of a pickup involved in a traffic stop that led to a civil rights lawsuit against two Richland County deputies.
The lawsuit claims that Deputies Dan Wise and Steve Gjerdevig used excessive force. A video shows the deputies yelling profanities and ordering the men to the ground with their guns drawn.
The men’s attorney, Craig Richie, says charges were never filed against the two passengers. “The only thing left was a $15.00 speeding ticket”, Richie said. “And it was clear the prosecution looked at it and said, in my mind, ‘This guy was way over the top…it’s ridiculous.’”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for medical expenses, mental anguish, pain and suffering.The deputies' attorneys say excessive force was not used. They're asking a judge to order the case dismissed. Richie says he wants the case to be decided by a jury.