Portland city demands costs from pepper-sprayed protester Elizabeth Evon Nichols

A STUDENT who sued the city after being blasted in the face with pepper spray during Occupy Portland protests has been billed for costs after losing her case.

Elizabeth Evon Nichols had sought $30,000, citing the excruciating pain of pepper spray in her eyes and throat, ensuing nightmares and depression, and worsening eczema, the Oregonian reports.

Her claim was use of excessive force.

The jury sided with the city after a four-day trial in the US District Court in Portland, entitling the city to recover its costs. The city, however, offered to drop pursuit of costs if Ms Nichols agreed to waive an appeal.

"I said 'I don't need to drag this money out of her,'" Deputy city attoey David Landrum said, noting that he is aware Nichols, 23, is a college student at Portland State University.

At the time of her trial, she also was working as a cleaner.

After some weeks, Ms Nichols declined and the city sought its payback, minus the costs of paying its staff to work on the case: a total of $7116.

In the intervening three months, Ms Nichols still has not paid, with interest accruing at 0.35 per cent per year.

Ms Nichols’ lawyer, Benjamin Haile, says that his client is appealing because she believes there were errors in the trial.