SPOKANE -- The family of a man who jumped off the Monroe Street Bridge to his death has filed a $1.7 claim against the City of Spokane.
Joshua Levy was perched on the bridge for 20 hours on July 27, 2007. Police tried to end the situation by tasing Levy, but they missed and he lept off the bridge to his death. The end to the situation was public, shocking, and, according to the family of Levy, negligent.
Levy had a history of mental illness. Just days before his death, he was released from Western State Hospital.
Just before he jumped, police convinced Levy to get down off the railing to urinate. That's when officers approached, fired their tasers, missed, and Levy jumped.
The claim was filed on January 22, and alleges that police failed to follow industry standards throughout the ordeal. It points out mental health professionals and Levy's family were not allowed to speak with him on the scene. The claim also cites that despite using a "no hands on" and "must deliver self" approach for most of the situation, the decision to abandon that was negligent.
An investigator hired by the family says experts he spoke with all show police used improper tactics and that they should have continued waiting.
Despite naming the Spokane County Sheriff's Department, the FBI, and Spokane Mental Health, only the city is named on the claim.
Spokane Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick says just hours after the incident, Levy's family appeared grateful for the department's efforts. But in subsequent interviews, Levy's father criticized the use of tasers on his son.
The City of Spokane has 60 days to respond.
Attorneys for the city and Levy's family were unavailable for comment Friday.
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