LAist is part of Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), a member-supported public media network. Hear our news on-air at our partner site:
Three Pasadena cops have been accused of kidnapping and then beating a witness during a homicide investigation in order to coerce him into making false statements.In a court declaration filed this week, Jeremi Carr, 24, alleged that he suffered injuries to his ribs, shoulder, back and face as a result of the beating, according to the Pasadena Star-News. Carr was a witness in the 2007 murder of Shawn Baptiste in Pasadena.
It's not clear when the alleged beating happened, but the Star-News has a copy of the court declaration that says police took Carr to police headquarters during the investigation and handcuffed him. The detectives named are Kevin Okamoto, Keith Gomez and William Broghamer.
"I didn't know what these dudes were about to do," Carr told the Star-News. "I didn't know what was going to happen."
They allegedly demanded that he make false statements that would implicate a suspect in the Baptiste murder and denied Carr's request for an attorney. Carr was not arrested or charged with any crime at that time. Afterward, Carr said he went to the Huntington Hospital where he was treated for his injuries.
The Star-News has more information about these detectives' involvement in other controversial cases, including the Kendrec McDade shooting.