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Court Rules Strip Search Of Vacaville Wheelchair User Excessive

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Vacaville police went too far when they pulled a drug suspect out of his wheelchair and took off his clothes in public, according to an appeals court ruling.

The 1st District Court of Appeals in San Francisco ruled last week that evidence from the strip search of Samuel White cannot be used and the case was returned to Solano County Superior Court.

White had $160 that a police informant gave him for methamphetamine.

Two officers lifted him into the air while a third yanked his pants off and pulled his underwear to his knees in plain view of passing drivers and customers at a nearby hamburger stand.

The money was found in his crotch.

The appeals court says Vacaville police humiliated White and violated his rights.

(Copyright 2011 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services may have contributed to this report.)

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