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Civil Rights
Police Misconduct
Excessive Force

John Yunis Omari v. City of Beverly Hills

Published: Jan. 25, 1997 | Result Date: Dec. 2, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: CV921833 –  $0

Judge

Mariana R. Pfaelzer

Court

USDC Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Donald W. Cook
(Donald W. Cook, Attorney at Law)


Defendant

Scott D. MacLatchie

Jeanette R. Schachtner


Experts

Plaintiff

Peter Meade
(medical)

Van Ness H. Bogardus III
(technical)

Defendant

John Bell
(technical)

Facts

On Sept. 27, 1991, plaintiff John Yunis Omari, a 21-year-old man, was bitten by a police dog who found him hiding underneath a house following a residential burglary. The plaintiff claimed that he was cornered by the police with nowhere to go, and since he never displayed a weapon, the dog should not have been used to bite him. The defendant claimed that the use of the dog was a reasonable force option to either waiting the plaintiff out or sending an officer in after him. The plaintiff brought this action against the city of Beverly Hills based on violation of civil rights and excessive force theories of recovery.

Settlement Discussions

There were no settlement discussions.

Injuries

The plaintiff alleged he suffered multiple dog bites. The plaintiff's medical care was provided by the California Department of Corrections.

Other Information

The verdict was reached approximately four years and nine months after the case was filed.

Deliberation

1 hour and 40 minutes

Poll

7-0

Length

4 days


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