Facts

Plaintiff Damion Richardson filed suit against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, then-Sheriff Lee Baca, Captain Daniel Cruz, Lieutenant Xavier Aguilar, Sergeant Keith Kanouse, and deputies Steven Goodwin, Kasey Owens, Alejandro Hernandez, and Hector Vasquez, Detective Tia Taylor, and Richard Roe, M.D., claiming he was attacked by LASD deputies in the Men's Central Jail on March 13, 2010. Plaintiff also sued the County of Los Angeles, and the former Chief of the Custody Operations Division Dennis H. Burns, as well as its former Commanders Dennis A. Conte, Don Rodriguez, Stephen B. Johnson, and Robert J. Olmstead.

The case was filed by Richardson on Aug. 11, 2010. On Feb. 4, 2012, unrelated to this incident, Richardson died. Danielle Brown, the mother of three of Richardson's six children, proceeded with the case as representative of his estate.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
Plaintiff alleged he was attacked and beaten for no reason. He alleged that other deputies, supervisors and county employees helped cover up the attack and conspired to charge Richardson with assaulting a peace officer because of the incident, in order to cover up the attack.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS:
Defendants contended that Richardson attacked a deputy and that the deputies only used the force that was necessary to handcuff and subdue Richardson. Defendants claimed that all force was reported and documented.

Settlement Discussions

Plaintiff demanded $300,000. Defendants offered a waiver of costs.

Injuries

Richardson claimed a through-and-through laceration to his lower lip, a concussion, facial swelling, as well as various soft-tissue injuries. Plaintiff also claimed pain and suffering.

Result

Defense verdict.

Other Information

FILING DATE: Aug. 17, 2010.

Deliberation

two hours

Poll

8-0 (excessive force)

Length

three days