State Supreme Court Rules Against Former Baton Rouge Police Officer

The Louisiana Supreme Court has let stand a jury's award of $239,000 to a former Baton Rouge resident who claimed a city police officer's use of excessive force in 2007 caused him to suffer a ruptured bladder.

The Advocated reports the high court refused to review a lower court ruling that said now-former Baton Rouge police officer Nathan Davis was acting in the course and scope of his employment when he forcefully tackled and pepper-sprayed Brian Townsend.

The incident took place outside Townsend's home in the early-morning hours of March 4, 2007, while police were responding to an anonymous complaint about loud music.