Jury Awards Maryland Man $45K In 'Excessive Force' Lawsuit

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A federal jury has awarded $45,000 to an Anne Arundel County man in an excessive force case against an Ocean City police officer.

The Daily Record reports the jury's decision was given last week after a three-day trial in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

Brenden Thomas' attorney Patricia Cresta-Savage says the jury ruled that officer Ryan Flanagan violated Thomas' constitutional rights by falsely arresting him and using excessive force.

The lawsuit says Thomas was leaving an Ocean City nightclub in August 2012 when Flanagan allegedly confronted him without cause and then knocked him unconscious.

Charges against Thomas stemming from the incident, including disorderly conduct, were later dropped.

Ocean City's Solicitor Guy R. Ayres III says no decision has been made on whether to appeal the verdict.