Sennett Devermont v. County of Los Angeles; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department; Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Sergeant Brian Muller, individually and in his official capacity as a sergeant with the County of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Published: Jan. 12, 2024 | Result Date: Jul. 17, 2023 | Filing Date: Aug. 31, 2021 |Case number: 2:21-cv-07028-KES Settlement – $100,000
Judge
Court
CD CA
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Eduardo M. Madrid
(Madrid Law Firm)
Defendant
Richard T. Hsueh
(Office of the Los Angeles County Counsel)
Facts
On September 6, 2020, Sennett Devermont was documenting a protest for the police shooting of Dijon Kizzie across the street from the Inglewood Police Department. On August 31, 2021, he filed a federal and state civil rights lawsuit arising from his arrest during that protest.
Contentions
PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: According to plaintiff, he was on his way back to his vehicle after the police shot non-lethal projectiles and dispersed flashbang type of devices in order to break up the protest. As he approached his vehicle, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies blocked access to his vehicle. Plaintiff told the sheriffs that his vehicle was behind the line of sheriffs, but they told him to wait. When plaintiff was questioned, he was told he failed the attitude test and subject to arrest. He was then arrested even though he was attempting to leave in accordance with defendant Sheriffs' orders. Plaintiff was jailed and required to post $5,000 bail for release.
DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS: Defendants denied all material contentions.
Result
The County Board approved a settlement for $100,000.
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