PORT TOWNSEND — No liability was assigned and no financial settlement was awarded in Richard Brees’ lawsuit against Jefferson County, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy and Brees’ neighbor.
A jury of eight — five-woman and three men —found all of the Port Townsend man’s claims to be without merit, returning a unanimous decision against him on Thursday.
The trial lasted for four days in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
County Attorney Duncan Fobes, said that the verdict exonerates the sheriff’s office, Deputy Brian Post and the county of any wrongdoing.
“The jury found that there was no violation to [Mr. Brees’] rights protected under the first and fourth amendments,” Fobes said.
“The county is not liable to [Mr. Brees] in any way.”
Sam Ramirez, one of attorneys for Brees’ neighbor William Thayer, said that the verdict ended a long battle for Thayer, who was named as a defendant, with Brees saying that Thayer had attacked him.
Ramriez said the jury was asked how much damages should be awarded Brees as a result of Thayer’s actions, and “the answer was zero.”
Brees said he was disappointed that he lost, “but I can accept the jury’s verdict.
“I don’t feel bad for myself, but for the citizens of Jefferson County who value their civil liberties.”
