Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
City Will Pay Out $6.9 Million To Man Paralyzed In LAPD Shooting
Emblem on LAPD motorcycle. (Image courtesy of Steve Devol/Flickr)
()
Over a decade after two Los Angeles police officers shot and paralyzed a gang member leaving the scene of a drive-by shooting, the L.A. City Council on Wednesday approved a $6.9 million payout in his excessive force lawsuit, the L.A. Times reports.
In 2012, a jury ordered the city to pay Robert Contreras $5.7 million, a judgement the city sought to get thrown out but that was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court this past December. The $6.9 million includes attorney’s fees and interest.
The judgment stems from a September 2005 altercation in South L.A., during which Contreras was shot by Officer Mario Flores and Det. Julio Benavides of the LAPD. Contreras, a gang member, jumped out of a van near the site where the officers said they heard gunshots and fled on foot. The officers gave pursuit and shot Contreras in the back and side, claiming he held a gun in his hand when it was, in fact, a cellphone. No gun was ever found on the scene.
Contreras, who pleaded no contest to attempted murder in the drive-by and served jail time, was left partially quadriplegic with some use of his arms. He later filed an excessive force lawsuit against the city, claiming the officers had violated his civil rights.
Support for LAist comes from
The $5.7 million amount the 2012 jury awarded Contreras came after the city council voted 8 to 4 to reject a smaller amount of $4.5 million.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said. -
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes. -
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk.
Best of LAist