Garland Lewis v. District of Columbia

Opinion PER CURIAM.

Garland Lewis was arrested on the night of August 8,1983, for drug-related criminal offenses. He brought this action for damages based on the alleged excessive force used by police officers in the course of the arrest. Pursuant to a pretrial ruling, the district judge admitted evidence- at trial of Lewis’ past drug use and past arrests. The jury returned a verdict for Lewis but awarded only $7,500, significantly less than Lewis’ conceded medical expenses for injuries suffered during the arrest. Lewis now appeals the trial court’s decision to admit the evidence of drug use…