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Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil

By Jeralyn, Section Misconduct
Posted on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 09:00:51 AM EST
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Only in America. Remember the videotaped beating of the teenager at a gas station outside of LA during the summer of 2002? It almost caused riots, and dominated the news for days. The cop who slammed the kid into the patrol car was charged with assault. He was tried twice and both times the jury deadlocked.

The cop, Jeremy Morse, and his partner sued the city for discrimination saying they had been unfairly "trapped in race situations."

A civil jury has returned a verdict in their favor to the tune of $1.6 million. (Update: This AP report puts the verdict at $2.4 million)

At the time, LA Police Chief Bill Bratton said the officers did not follow departmental policy.

Even the police chief was shocked by the new verdict: Englewood Police Chief Ronald Banks said, "I was shocked at not only the verdict but the size of the awards. It was somewhat ridiculous." The Mayor described the verdict as "inflated and inappropriate," and said the city would decide whether to appeal.

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    Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil | 30 comments (30 topical)
    Re: Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil (none / 0) (#1)
    by kdog on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 09:29:40 AM EST
    Charles Graner should call their lawyer. Apparently, brutality is profitable, maybe torture is too.

    Re: Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil (none / 0) (#2)
    by Patrick on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 10:30:28 AM EST
    He didn't win for punching the kid, although doing so appears justifed in the eyes of the jury since at least one of them decided the officer was not guilty. According to the article the officer won the money because another jury agreed that he was the victim of racism when he, being white, was fired by the black chief of police while the other minority officer involved was only suspended.

    Re: Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil (none / 0) (#3)
    by Patrick on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 10:34:23 AM EST
    TL, Your link about Chief Bill Bratton seems to be related to a different incident. This one occurred in Inglewood, and involves the kid at the gas station. The other involes the car chase, foot pursuit and apparent use of a flashlight as an impact weapon. On filmed by a bystander, the other by a news helicopter. I could be wrong though.

    Re: Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil (none / 0) (#4)
    by Che's Lounge on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 10:47:12 AM EST
    In the psych community this is referred to as positive reinforcement. The other involves the car chase, foot pursuit and apparent use of a flashlight as an impact weapon. Do you mean to say that he beat him with a flashlight? I love doublespeak.

    Re: Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil (none / 0) (#5)
    by Patrick on Wed Jan 19, 2005 at 10:57:16 AM EST
    Che, I meant to say exactly what I said. If you've got a problem with it, I'm sorry.

    Re: Cop Punches Kid on Tape, Wins $2.4 Mil (none / 0) (#6)
    by Talkleft Visitor</