Original suspect in Dodger stadium beating may be exonerated after new arrests
(CBS/KCBS/AP) LOS ANGELES - Police arrested two new suspects Wednesday in connection to the brutal beating of a San Francisco Giants fan outside Dodger Stadium and may exonerate the original suspect, a law enforcement official said.
According to the official, if the district attorney's office files a case against the arrested men, original suspect Giovanni Ramirez will be exonerated.
Although Giovanni was never officially charged with the crime, police have consistently stated that they were confident he was behind the attack.
Giovanni was arrested May 22, when Giants fan Bryan Stow was almost fatally beaten by two men outside the stadium after attending the March 31 season opener between the Giants and archrival Los Angeles Dodgers.
A paramedic and father of two, the 42-year-old Stow was transported from Los Angeles to San Francisco in May after being in a coma and in critical condition for months before doctors upgraded his condition to serious in June.
Police arrested Giovanni based on eyewitness statements that were not corroborated with forensic evidence.
A prominent defense lawyer said Ramirez could have a case against the police department for false arrest. At the least, he is owed an apology, attorney Mark Geragos said.
"I don't understand why the cops said they got their guy, they were so confident," Geragos said. "It's outrageous. They should have stopped shooting their mouths off and concentrated on the investigation."
Ramirez's attorney, Anthony Brooklier, told CBS station KCBS that he anticipated Giovanni's exoneration.
"We were upfront and felt very confident that if we kept giving [the LAPD] information it would lead to his exoneration," Brooklier said.
Ramirez, a convicted felon, is in prison for a parole violation after police found a gun in the house where he was staying when he was arrested.
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May 24, 2011 - Family of beaten Giants fan Bryan Stow grateful for arrest
May 23, 2011 - Tip leads to arrest of suspect in Bryan Stow beating
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