Jury: Stun gun use was excessive force PORTLAND, Ore., March 14 (UPI) -- A federal jury awarded more than $200,000 in damages to a man for injuries inflicted when a Portland, Ore., police officer used a stun gun on him five times. In their decision Tuesday, jurors said Daniel Halsted, 36, of Portland had been a victim of excessive force when when the officer shot him repeatedly with a stun gun on June 17, 2008, The (Portland) Oregonian reported. Halsted, who sustained abrasions and facial fractures, was awarded $125,000 in punitive damages, $75,000 for pain and suffering, and $6,372.70 for medical expenses. Halsted testified he was returning home after a night out with friends when he was confronted by two men who did not identify themselves as police officers. He began running and then fell down after he was stunned. Deputy City Attorney James Rice said Portland police officer Benjamin Davidson was in uniform and had just gotten out of a marked squad car. Davidson and his partner were investigating a graffiti incident nearby. "This is a police officer doing his job, under difficult circumstances in the dark, with the tools given him," Rice said. The level of force was brought on by Mr. Halsted when he started to run and fought with police officers. The district attorney chose not to pursue charges of resisting arrest and criminal mischief against Halsted, who had no criminal record.