A federal jury has ruled in favor of police in a high-profile case involving a man who suffered devastating burns during a 2020 emergency call in West Linn.
The eight-member jury found that the city and three officers from the West Linn Police Department were not negligent in their response to the incident, rejecting a lawsuit filed by Michael A. Relloque IV.
Relloque had sought $18 million in damages, arguing that officers should have entered the home to help him during a reported mental health crisis. According to testimony, he had been hallucinating after taking mushrooms, claimed he was God, and was described as smelling of burned skin after bursting into a roommate’s bedroom.
The case, heard in Portland federal court, spanned six days and focused heavily on whether officers acted appropriately in choosing not to immediately enter the residence.
The trial included graphic evidence of Relloque’s injuries, which were so severe that one juror fainted during proceedings. In a notable moment, the officers named in the lawsuit rushed to assist the juror.
Ultimately, the jury concluded that the officers’ actions did not constitute negligence, siding with the city and law enforcement.
The verdict brings an end to the legal battle over the incident, which raised questions about police response during mental health emergencies.
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