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Civil Rights
Police Misconduct
False Arrest

Ryan Richard Smith v. City of Newport Beach, California Dept. of Alcoholic Beverage Control, Richard Ryan, Roger Carr, Scott McKnight

Published: Dec. 16, 2003 | Result Date: Sep. 12, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: CV025079JFW Bench Decision –  $0

Judge

John F. Walter

Court

USDC Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Jerry L. Steering
(Law Office of Jerry L. Steering)


Defendant

Mark V. Santa Romana
(Law Offices of Jamie Skebba)

Peter J. Ferguson
(Ferguson, Praet & Sherman APC)


Experts

Defendant

Clarence R. Chapman
(technical)

Joseph J. Callanan Jr.
(technical)

Facts

On March 17, 2001, at about 10 p.m., plaintiff Ryan Smith was standing on a sidewalk outside Mutt Lynch's Bar in Newport Beach. Defendants Scott McKnight, Richard Ryan and Roger Carr are, respectively, a police officer and investigators for the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Defendants noticed that the plaintiff was intoxicated and waited to see if the bar would admit him and serve him alcohol. The defendants approached the plaintiff and began asking him questions. The plaintiff became agitated and began to walk toward his motorbike. The defendants attempted to restrain the plaintiff. An altercation ensued, and McKnight punched the plaintiff twice in the face.

Injuries

The plaintiff suffered a cut on his mouth, broken tooth and minor abrasions on his face and arms.


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