by Christopher Zoukis

    Edward Bowden agreed to a settlement of an undisclosed amount with the city of Speedway, Indiana, and the Speedway Police Department for civil rights violations against him.

     On December 19, 2004, Bowden and an associate were delivering bottled water when he was detained by Officer Tracey D. Cantrell of the Town of Speedway Police Department. Bowden alleged that after the officers determined there was no crime in progress, they sought to search his associate's car.

     As Bowden backed away from the vehicle, he said Cantrell began shouting at him, twisted his arm behind his back and threw him to the ground, resulting in broken teeth. Bowden was arrested for resisting arrest, even though he claimed that he did not resist.

     Bowden sued Cantrell, the Town of Speedway and the Speedway Police Department for false arrest, excessive force and negligent supervision and training. He sought compensation for time spent in jail, dental expenses, pain and suffering, and legal costs.

     The parties reached an undisclosed settlement in federal court, and the case was subsequently dismissed.

    See: Bowden v. Town of Speedway, Indiana, et al., United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Case No. 1:06-cv-01172-DFH-TAB (Mar. 4, 2008).

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