Facts

Plaintiff Erik Taylor filed a suit against Los Angeles County Sheriffs Deputies Victor Lemus and Joaquin Rincon, claiming excessive force and malicious prosecution following his arrest.

The criminal case was dismissed in the interest of justice following inaccurate testimony by one of the arresting deputies at the preliminary hearing and follow-up by the Public Defender's office.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff claimed that the deputies attacked him when plaintiff called their mother a derogatory remark. He claimed that the deputies planted drugs, a scale, a handgun and ammunition in his apartment in order to cover up their use of excessive force against him. He claimed that the criminal charges against him were procured by fraud, perjury, manufactured evidence and other actions amounting to bad faith.

Plaintiff alleged violation of his fourth and fourteenth amendment rights and brought two claims against the individual deputies for excessive force and malicious prosecution.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants claimed plaintiff was arrested and charged with various crimes in 2011, following a traffic stop that escalated into a use of force. Following plaintiff's arrest, his apartment was searched and various contraband was found.

Defendants contended that they merely defended themselves when plaintiff attacked them. They contended that the contraband found in the home was accurately attributed to plaintiff, a felon that was in possession of a firearm. Defendants claimed that their actions were reasonable, lawful and constitutional.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiff's last pre-trial demand was $440,000. Defendants offered $20,000.

Damages

Plaintiff claimed $500,000 in economic and non-economic damages at trial.

Injuries

Plaintiff claimed he suffered a ruptured eardrum because of the excessive force.

Result

Defense verdict.

Other Information

Plaintiff's criminal history was excluded from trial. Defense counsel represented plaintiff pro bono at the request of the court. FILING DATE: Nov. 18, 2011.

Deliberation

four hours

Length

three days