Jury: California deputy used excessive force in shooting

A federal jury says an Orange County sheriff's deputy used excessive force when he shot and stomped a man who charged at another deputy with a knife.

The Los Angeles Times reports the family of Connor Zion was awarded $360,000 this week in a civil rights lawsuit.

The 21-year-old was killed by Deputy Michael Higgins in Laguna Niguel in 2013.

Officials said Higgins fired nine shots as Zion tried to stab another deputy. Higgins won the Sheriff's Department Medal of Honor and the district attorney's office ruled his actions were justified.

But Zion's family sued, saying Higgins was out of line when he fired nine more times as Zion lay on the ground and stomped on his head.

The Times reports the Sheriff's Department declined to comment on the ruling.