San Leandro, CA

San Leandro, CA: (Jun-07-07) The family of Jose Maravilla Perez Jr. filed a federal civil rights suit against the city, alleging that Perez Jr. died after police officers repeatedly shocked him with Taser stun guns. The suit, which sought $10 million in damages, alleged that officers choked and shocked 33-year-old Perez in October 2005 without just provocation or cause. Police were investigating Perez for allegedly violating a restraining order and authorities defended the officers' actions, claiming that the former Oakland forklift operator may have been on drugs and hence violently resisted their efforts to subdue him. The Alameda County coroner stated that Perez had a fractured neck and 21 Taser applications. It listed the cause of death as methamphetamine intoxication associated with physical exertion.

The city agreed to pay $395,000 as a settlement with the family, without admitting any wrongdoing in the case. The city also agreed to fund an insurance annuity to benefit Perez's children. [NORTH COUNTY TIMES: TASER DEATH]

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Published on Jun-10-07