Jury Sides With West Linn Police in $18 Million Lawsuit Over Drug-Induced Emergency

CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore. — An eight-member federal jury has dismissed an $18 million lawsuit against the City of West Linn and three of its police officers for failing to help Michael A. Relloque IV when he was hallucinating on mushrooms and marijuana.

The jury handed down its decision after deliberating for more than four hours, following the conclusion of testimony yesterday at the six-day trial in the U.S. District Court in Portland.

He Lost All But Two of His Fingers

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on November 14, 2020, during which Relloque (28) suffered burns of up to 30% of his body, losing all but two of his fingers when he fell into a fire at his home after ingesting mushrooms and marijuana.

West Linn law enforcement was alerted to the incident after Relloque’s roommate, Melissa Birdwell, called 911.

She said that Relloque was naked and had jumped onto her bed after kicking down the door. Birdwell told 911 that she was hiding in the bathroom, which she had locked.

Birdwell further reported that Relloque was shouting that he was God and was acting like a crazy person.

When West Linn police arrived at the scene, Birdwell had managed to escape through the back door.

A severely burnt Relloque later drove to Turner, where he knocked on a window, pleading for help. He was wearing shorts and no shirt, and had suffered severe burns from his head down to his waist.

Relloque was transported by ambulance to the Legacy Emanuel Burn Center in Portland.