SALEM, Oregon – A jury has awarded more than $3 million in damages to a Salem man who was wrongly accused of car theft and subjected to excessive force by a police officer. The eight-member jury found that Salem Officer David S. Baker violated Christopher Garza’s civil rights and committed battery and false arrest. The city of Salem has been ordered to pay $2 million in punitive damages, $1 million in non-economic damages, and $150,000 in economic damages. Garza, who is of Native American and Latino descent, was working on a broken car in the OK Tire lot when Baker approached him and two other men. Garza testified that he was accused of stealing the car and was shoved against a patrol car, handcuffed, and injured by Baker’s actions. He was ultimately released without charges.
Punitive damages are intended to punish and deter similar wrongdoing, while non-economic damages compensate for mental suffering or distress. Economic damages cover the cost of medical care, lost income, and earning capacity. Garza, a father of four and a barber, plans to use the award money to support his mission of building churches.
Garza’s lawyer, Jason Kafoury, argued that Baker used excessive force and violated his training. Kafoury stated that Baker’s actions, such as forcefully raising Garza’s arm and lifting his feet off the ground, were unnecessary and designed to harm. He emphasized that Garza posed no threat and had done nothing wrong. In contrast, attorney Sebastian Tapia, representing Salem, claimed that Baker had reasonable suspicion to stop Garza and that the use of force was justified due to Garza’s alleged resistance. Tapia also argued that Garza’s shoulder injury was not caused by the encounter with Baker but rather by a pre-existing condition.
The jury, composed of five men and three women, reached their verdict after deliberating for about 90 minutes following a four-day trial. Garza expressed his gratitude for the justice served, while Juror Sydnie Ihne expressed satisfaction with the outcome. The city of Salem had previously offered only $12,000 to settle the case, according to Garza’s attorney. Attorney Greg Kafoury, who also represented Garza, emphasized that the verdict should send a message to police departments about the importance of integrity and accountability.
In summary, a Salem man has been awarded over $3 million in damages after being wrongly accused and subjected to excessive force by a police officer. The jury found that the officer violated the man’s civil rights and committed battery and false arrest. The city of Salem has been ordered to pay $2 million in punitive damages, $1 million in non-economic damages, and $150,000 in economic damages. The man, who is of Native American and Latino descent, plans to use the award money to support his mission of building churches.