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Civil Rights
Excessive Force
Wrongful Death, 4th and 14th Amendment Rights

Estate of David Cross v. county of Santa Cruz, Leticia Rosales-Buie, et al.

Published: Sep. 13, 2008 | Result Date: May 31, 2008 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: C06-04891 RS Settlement –  $3,000,000

Court

USDC Northern


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Andrew C. Schwartz
(Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook)

Karen L. Snell
(Karen L. Snell, Attorney at Law)


Defendant

Clyde A. Thompson

Vincent P. Hurley
(Law Offices of Vincent P. Hurley)


Experts

Plaintiff

W. Kenneth Katsaris
(technical)

Sandra Slosberg
(medical)

Paul W. Herrmann
(medical)

Defendant

Donald S. Cameron
(technical)

Facts

This lawsuit arose out of the wrongful death of David Cross, 44, while in the custody of Santa Cruz County jail. The plaintiffs alleged violations of the plaintiffs' and decedent's 4th and 14th Amendment rights. The plaintiffs claimed that the decedent died due to the Santa Cruz County deputies using excessive force during the course of a cell detention.

The defendants denied the force used was excessive.

The plaintiff also claimed that the decedent was denied adequate medical care. As a result of the injuries received during the cell extraction on Sept. 17, 2007, David Cross was pronounced dead on Sept. 18. The Santa Cruz County coroner determined the cause of death to be anoxic encephalopathy, cardiopulmonary arrest, and chest compression during restraint procedure.

Settlement Discussions

The case settled for $3 million.


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