This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
Lawsuit from man badly beaten by LA County sheriff’s deputies can move forward
Vanessa Perez displaying a photo of herself and her son, Joseph, together.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
LAist
)
Topline:
A lawsuit against Los Angeles County filed on behalf of a man who was severely beaten by sheriff’s deputies will move forward. That’s after a Superior Court judge on Monday denied a motion from the county’s attorney that could have seen the case dismissed.
The backstory: Joseph Perez lives with schizophrenia. In 2020, the 28-year-old was seriously beaten by a group of L.A. County sheriff’s deputies. Perez’s mother, Vanessa Perez, alleges the beating took place just hours after she informed the department that her son lives with mental illness and needed psychiatric help. The deputies alleged Perez was resisting arrest and that they too were injured in the scuffle, according to partially redacted department records.
The reaction: Standing outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse Monday morning,
Vanessa Perez told LAist she was happy with the judge's ruling. “I’m overwhelmed... Maybe justice will come,” she said. The attorney representing the county declined to comment citing ongoing litigation.
A fight for records: In a separate case, the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission — a county sheriff watchdog group — subpoenaed the department for an unredacted use-of-force report from the night Perez was beaten. So far, the Sheriff’s Department has not supplied the information.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
