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Civil Rights
False Arrest
Assault and Battery

Derek St. Pierre v. City and County of San Francisco, Mark Cota, Dennis O'Mahony

Published: Aug. 24, 2004 | Result Date: Apr. 28, 2004 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 321492 Verdict –  $0

Judge

Paul H. Alvarado

Court

San Francisco Superior


Attorneys

Plaintiff

David Blatte


Defendant

Sean F. Connolly
(Office of the San Francisco City Attorney)


Facts

Derek St. Pierre, a 30-year-old attorney, was a legal observer at an anti-fur protest in front of the Neiman Marcus department store on Union Square in San Francisco on Jan. 16, 2000. After he objected to the arrest of a protester, St. Pierre was taken to the ground, hit with a baton, and ultimately arrested.

Injuries

St. Pierre claimed to have suffered soft-tissue injuries to his neck, chest and shoulders, and that the incident exacerbated a previous back injury.

Other Information

According to the plaintiff, the jury found that the plaintiff had not physically interfered. Instead the sergeant reasonably thought he might interfere.

Deliberation

five hours

Length

four days


#97994

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