Trial Magazine
Verdicts & Settlements: Civil Rights
Excessive Force
Civil Rights
April 2018After attending a concert, off-duty police officer Marcelo Bedetti pulled into a parking lot in the Long Beach, Calif., entertainment district. City police officers David Corcoran and Alexander Saldana began yelling at Bedetti, blocking his access to his intended parking space. Bedetti left his vehicle and identified himself as a police officer; however, the encounter ended in an altercation that resulted in the officers sweeping Bedetti to the ground and punching him in the face and head. Bedetti was subsequently arrested and prosecuted for driving under the influence, making criminal threats, and interfering with a police investigation. He was found not guilty.
Bedetti sued the city of Long Beach and Corcoran and Saldana, individually, alleging excessive force in violation of the Fourth Amendment and state law claims for battery and negligence.
The jury awarded $3 million, including $2,500 in punitive damages against Corcoran. Posttrial motions are reportedly pending.
Citation: Bedetti v. City of Long Beach, No. 2:14CV09102 (C.D. Cal. May 8, 2017).
Plaintiff counsel: Mark Pachowicz and Jonny Russell, both of Camarillo, Calif.
Plaintiff expert: Curt Rothschiller, police procedures, Camarillo.