EXCESSIVE FORCE
Man blaming deputies for broken nose awarded $169,128
A man who claimed that sheriff’s deputies at the San Patricio County Jail used excessive force was awarded $169,128 on Aug. 22. Richard Uekert was brought to jail in 2010 for public intoxication. He claimed that Deputies Michael Salazar and David Silva took him to a padded cell where they deliberately threw him to the floor in such a way that his face struck an exposed board instead of the padded portion of the floor. He fractured his nose and two teeth. He claimed that the department failed to properly train the deputies. The jury found that Salazar had used excessive force, but not Silva. The jury didn’t find in favor of the plaintiff on his assault and battery claim.
