Laguna Woods, Calif. — A California jury has awarded $6 million to the family of a 65-year-old man who was fatally shot by sheriff’s deputies in his own home in 2018, marking a significant decision in a wrongful death lawsuit against the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The incident, which took place in the quiet retirement community of Laguna Woods, has sparked discussions on law enforcement’s handling of crisis situations.
The legal representatives for the family of Paul Mono disclosed Wednesday that the unanimous jury verdict concluded that the deputies’ actions were improper and that their aggressive response escalated to the use of deadly force. Mono, a retired creative director for the Los Angeles Times, was blind and grappling with a mental health crisis when deputies were called to his home over a reported disturbance.
Susan Peck, Mono’s widow, expressed her devastation over the loss of her partner of 30 years, stating that Mono was blind and experiencing significant distress during the incident. She has expressed hope that the jury’s decision serves as a cautionary tale to other law enforcement agencies, aiming to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
On the day of the incident, deputies arrived at approximately 1 p.m. following a call about a dispute involving Mono and a contractor, who was not present at the scene. Despite the absence of any immediate community threat, the situation rapidly deteriorated. Lawyers for Mono’s family pointed out that he was inside his residence and posed no danger to the outside community at the time of the shooting.
During the confrontation, deputies fired 14 shots through the windows of Mono’s home, fatally injuring him in the presence of his wife. The gunfire also endangered neighboring residents, as some bullets penetrated adjoining units. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported from the incident.
Attorney David Clay Washington emphasized the disturbing nature of the force used, noting the sheer luck that prevented additional casualties. Morgan Ricketts, another attorney representing the Mono family, criticized the deputies for not adequately applying de-escalation techniques that they are trained to use, suggesting that a hurried response led to unnecessary violence.
Although the deputies involved in the shooting were not prosecuted and some still remain in their positions with others having since retired, the family’s legal team argued that Mono’s death could have been avoided with more thoughtful intervention. An earlier investigation by the Orange County District Attorney’s office had determined that the deputies’ actions were justified, citing that Mono had reached for a handgun during the episode.
The verdict in this case underscores ongoing debates about the appropriateness of law enforcement responses, especially involving individuals experiencing mental health crises. It also raises questions about the adequacy of training and protocols in de-escalation practices for officers dealing with such sensitive situations.
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