Family of Murdered Teen Files Wrongful Death Suit Against LA Co.

The tragic March 2008 murder of 17-year-old high school football standout Jamiel Shaw made national headlines, and led to a movement to get legislation on the books that would grant "Los Angeles police officers the right to arrest undocumented gang members before they commit crimes," according to cbs2. But "Jamiel's Law" and its supporters "did not obtain enough signatures to place the measure on the May city election ballot."

Now Shaw's parents and brother have filed a suit against LA County, naming Sheriff Lee Baca and the alleged murderer, undocumented immigrant and known gang member Pedro Espinoza, as the suit's defendants. The Shaws are claiming "wrongful death," in addition to "negligence, violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act and deprivation of civil rights." They believe that "Espinoza, a Latino, targeted Shaw because he is black."