The Region - News from Feb. 21, 1985

A federal court jury absolved five Los Angeles police officers of any negligence in the July 31, 1982, death of a handcuffed man who died after a chokehold was applied to subdue him. Freddie Maddox, the sister of the victim, Donald Ray Wilson, 36, filed a $165-million federal lawsuit, charging a violation of Wilson’s civil rights and accusing the officers of using excessive force to subdue him. Wilson, who officers said was under the influence of the drug PCP, was arrested while standing naked on South Vermont Avenue near 66th Street. As he struggled, officers sprayed him with tear gas and cuffed his wrists and ankles. Once in a squad car, he struggled again, prompting the officers to pull to a shoulder of the Harbor Freeway. Officer Timothy Harris then applied the chokehold. Wilson died an hour later at County-USC Medical Center.