As King County prosecutors charge some World Trade Organization protesters, the first of what could be many damage claims related to the riots was filed yesterday. Attorney John Muenster filed a claim on behalf of Melissa Benton and Shauna Lin Balaski, who say a King County sheriff's deputy squirted them with pepper spray while they were inside their car.
Claims are the first step in seeking damages before a lawsuit can be filed.
County officials have 60 days to respond. According to their claim, the women, both students at The Art Institute of Seattle, were parked in a grocery-store lot videotaping protesters and police on Capitol Hill on Wednesday night when a deputy in riot gear knocked on their car window. Muenster said Benton, the driver, rolled down the window to ask what the deputy wanted. Excerpts from the videotape have been broadcast widely. Both women had student press cards on their jackets, Muenster said.