LOS ANGELES — A jury has granted a damaged protester $2.2 million following a 2020 incident where he was struck in the face by a less-lethal munition fired by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy during a demonstration against police brutality.
The jury’s verdict, announced last week, held Los Angeles County responsible for the injuries suffered by Cellin Gluck, determining his damages to be $3.5 million. In addition, his daughter, who was present that day, was awarded $300,000 for emotional distress. However, since the jury found Gluck partially at fault for the incident, the total compensation will be reduced by 35%, resulting in a final award of approximately $2.27 million for Gluck and $195,000 for his daughter.
County legal representatives stated they are considering all options, including a potential appeal.
Gluck, a filmmaker known for titles such as “Oba: The Last Samurai” and “Persona Non Grata,” alleged in his lawsuit that he and his daughter experienced excessive force while attending a peaceful protest in May 2020, which arose after the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. As they were heading back to their vehicle, they encountered a protester who appeared injured, claiming he had been hit by a beanbag round. Moments later, Gluck was struck in the face by a nonlethal projectile, despite only holding a camera.
The lawsuit claims that the impact from the projectile caused Gluck to fall backward, rendering him unarmed and not exhibiting any violent behavior at the time. According to court documents, the projectile lodged in his nasal cavity, remaining there for nearly a year and leading to permanent disfigurement and traumatic brain injury.
Gluck’s attorney, Carl Douglas, expressed that while the jury’s decision offers some semblance of justice, it falls short of the amount originally sought by Gluck. He highlighted the long-term effects of the injury on Gluck’s life, stating that the compensation awarded is insufficient for the ongoing challenges he faces.
Douglas criticized law enforcement training protocols, stating that officers are instructed not to aim for the head unless faced with a deadly threat. He further pointed out the inability of officials to identify which deputy fired the shot as a significant failure within the county’s system.
In response to the verdict, the LA County Sheriff’s Department noted that leadership has changed since the incident and emphasized their commitment to reviewing past events to enhance community service.
The issue of less-lethal munitions has gained renewed attention amid recent protests in downtown Los Angeles against federal immigration policies. Incidents involving journalists and media personnel being struck by these munitions have resulted in a federal judge instituting a temporary restraining order, preventing police from using such methods against journalists.
In a related note, a protester has filed a civil rights claim against Los Angeles city and county authorities after losing a finger to a less-lethal munition during nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations.
In California, a prerequisite for filing a civil rights lawsuit against municipal entities for police misconduct mandates the submission of a claim beforehand.
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