U., animal rights activist settle suit for $500

The University of Utah has apparently settled a lawsuit filed against one of its police officers by an animal rights activist.

Jeremy Beckham sued the U., claiming that an officer unreasonably detained him during an April 2008 protest against primate research. Beckham claimed that as he tried to speak with police, U. police officer Mike Richards detained him and refused to release him after repeated demands that he stop. No reason was given for detaining him, and no protesters were cited, Beckham claimed in the suit.

According to court documents, a judge entered a $500 judgment in favor of Beckham. In a statement to the Deseret News, Beckham said it was part of a settlement agreement with the U.

The animal rights activist said he plans to donate the $500 to a fund to help a fellow activist being jailed for contempt of court. Jordan Halliday was taken into U.S. marshal's custody this month after he refused to testify before a federal grand jury presumably investigating a series of attacks on local mink ranches. Two other men, William "BJ" Viehl and Alex Hall, have been indicted in connection with mink farm attacks in South Jordan and Hyrum.

"I am truly glad that the university realized their mistake in my case," Beckham said in his statement.

— Ben Winslow