CEDAR RAPIDS — Early last week, on April 21 and 22, the trial in the lawsuit against former Toledo Police Officer Kyle Howe and the City of Toledo by resident Shyla Wolf took place at the Northern District Federal Court of Iowa in Cedar Rapids. The suit stems from an incident in March of 2023 when Howe took Shyla Wolf to the ground during a traffic stop. Three claims were made against former Officer Howe in the lawsuit: excessive force, assault, and battery. The jury found that none of the three claims were proven by a preponderance of evidence, and the judgment in the case ruled in favor of Howe and the City of Toledo.

Wolf, Howe, and Toledo Police Chief Dan Quigley testified in the trial, along with Kevin Davis, an expert witness on use of force. At the time this issue went to press, attempts to reach the legal counsel on either side of the case had been unsuccessful, and Toledo City Attorney Michael Marquess declined to comment.

The city has already entered into a settlement for a so far undisclosed amount with the estate of the late Steven Horrigan over excessive force claims against Howe, who resigned from his position in April of 2023, and a lawsuit filed on behalf of Lang Leonard has been dismissed. Suits from Cynthia McWilliams, Brodie Clark and Issaias Romero against the city and Howe are still pending in federal court.