Separate $1 Million Lawsuits Filed Against Anaheim Police
ANAHEIM (CBSLA.com) — Two Anaheim men who were injured during a protest against the police shootings of two gang members filed two separate million-dollar lawsuits against the city on Friday.
KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports attorney James Siegal Gutierrez is representing Jesus Reyna and Victor Gonzales, both of whom met with the media at Anaheim City Hall.
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Reyna and Gonzales were both on hand for the neighborhood rally on July 20 that ended with 250 law enforcement officers in riot gear deployed to disperse an estimated 600 protesters.
"My client, Jesus Reyna, was shot with rubber bullets. We're asking for a million dollars for him," said Gutierrez. "With regards to Mr. Gonzales, he was there picketing. He was lucky enough not to be hit by bullets or be bitten by the dogs, but he was very close in range and suffered emotional trauma because of it."
Gonzales is also seeking $1 million in damages.
Gutierrez said that even with video footage capturing the day's events, proving his clients' case will be difficult.
"There are many potential witnesses out there, but they're being terrorized by the Anaheim Police Department, so they're going into the shadows and they're hiding," he said.
Gutierrez added his clients would prefer that the city agree to a negotiated settlement combined with community input to change police policy and tactics.
The city of Anaheim will circulate the claim through police and risk management officials before offering a response within the next three months.
