Fleeing man in coma after shove by Seattle deputy

SEATTLE — Video released Thursday shows a burly King County sheriff's deputy slamming a man into a tiled wall earlier this month in what a sheriff's spokesman said was "a tragic accident."

A lawyer for the family of 29-year-old Christopher Harris said the video and witness accounts show the Edmonds restaurant worker was a victim of excessive force by Deputy Matthew Paul, 26.

As of late Thursday, Harris remained comatose and in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center, said Todd Keeling, his stepfather.

Sheriff's Sgt. John Urquhart, who released surveillance video of the May 10 episode, said a preliminary investigation by the sheriff's office showed there was probable cause to arrest Harris because he fled from two deputies who repeatedly identified themselves as police.

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