911 call results in police shooting/killing young man. $2.2 million. Los Angeles County.
Summary
Young African-American with knives is tasered by one officer and shot by another after family calls police because he is threatening to kill himself.
The Case
- Case Name: Eaddy v. City of Los Angeles
- Court and Case Number: Los Angeles Superior Court BC534171
- Date of Verdict or Judgment: Tuesday, August 02, 2016
- Date Action was Filed: Friday, January 24, 2014
- Type of Case: Civil Rights, Wrongful Death
- Judge or Arbitrator(s): Hon. Joseph Kalin
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Plaintiffs: Greg Eaddy, father of decedent.
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Defendants: City of Los Angeles
- Type of Result: Jury Verdict
The Result
- Gross Verdict or Award: $2,200,000
- Net Verdict or Award: $2,200,000
- Contributory/Comparative Negligence: 35% on decedent.
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Non-Economic Damages:
$2,200,000
- Trial or Arbitration Time: 10 days.
- Jury Deliberation Time: 4 hours.
- Jury Polls: 9-3
- Post Trial Motions & Post-Verdict Settlements: None at this time.
The Attorneys
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Attorney for the Plaintiff:
Taylor & Ring LLP by John C. Taylor, Los Angeles.
Robert S. Brown, APC by Robert S. Brown, Los Angeles.
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Attorney for the Defendant:
Los Angeles City Attorney's Office by J. Edwin Rathbun, Denise Zimmerman, Cory Brente.
The Experts
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Plaintiff's Technical Expert(s):
Tim Williams, police tactics, Los Angeles.
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Defendant's Technical Expert(s):
Scott Reitz, police tactics, Los Angeles.
Charles Dempsey, mental evaluation unit, LAPD.
Facts and Background
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Facts and Background:
On the afternoon of May 2013, two LAPD officers were dispatched to 26-year-old Christian Eaddy’s home in Pacoima after family members called 911 reporting that Eaddy was sticking himself with hypodermic syringe needles, threatening to kill himself. Eaddy, an African-American, had suffered a brain injury as a child.
When two LAPD officers arrived at the scene, Eaddy was holding knives and walking in circles in the driveway of his home in front of family members. The officers claim Eaddy threatened them and approached them with the knives. One officer fired his taser and the other officer shot and killed Eaddy.
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Plaintiff's Contentions:
Plaintiff claimed excessive force, violation of Bane Act (civil rights) by defendants against decedent.
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Defendant's Contentions:
LAPD officers contended that they acted in self defense. The police department investigation deemed it a justifiable shooting.
Injuries and Other Damages
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Physical Injuries claimed by Plaintiff:
Wrongful death of young adult son.
Additional Notes
Jury found violation of Bane Act. No comparative fault reduction of verdict.
There were no settlement demands or offers.