Montana City Settles Excessive Force Lawsuit With Felon For $105K

The Montana city of Billings is paying a convicted felon $105,000 to settle a federal lawsuit that claimed a former police officer used excessive force when he shot the man six times as he fled the scene of a robbery in 2005.

The Billings Gazette reported Vincent Feeley and the city settled after a Jan. 17 mediation session.

City Administrator Tina Volek confirmed the settlement amount to the newspaper. She says the city’s insurer handled the claim and settlement.

The case questioned the actions of former police officer Randy Minkoff, who resigned almost a year after the shooting amid allegations of excessive force in three other arrests.

Feeley, who now uses his given surname of Canales, is on supervision after having served a five-year prison sentence for robbery.