Police

Justice Served: Jury Awards $5 Million for Death of Riverside Man Excessively Tased by Police

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Riverside, California — A jury has awarded $5 million to the family of Leroy Stephenson, who died in 2019 after being restrained and Tased by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers. The verdict was announced on September 19, 2023, by the attorneys representing Stephenson’s family. Stephenson, 48, was allegedly in the midst of a mental health crisis when he was spotted walking on the 91 Freeway on January 25, 2019. According to reports from the family’s legal team, Stephenson was moving erratically, dancing between traffic lanes. CHP officers located him at an offramp near Adams Street … Read more

Swift Justice: Jury Exonerates Former Caldwell Police Sergeant of Sexual Abuse Charges

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Caldwell, Idaho — A jury has acquitted former Caldwell police sergeant Ryan Bendawald of all charges, including those relating to accusations of sexual abuse tied to his position within the police department. The verdict was reached in under four hours after deliberation. Bendawald faced multiple allegations, including claims that he used his authority to engage in inappropriate conduct. Throughout the trial, his defense maintained that there was insufficient evidence to support the accusations made against him. The jury ultimately sided with the defense, concluding that the prosecution did not meet its burden of proof. The … Read more

Jury Awards $2.2 Million to Protester Shot in the Face by LAPD During 2020 Police Brutality Demonstration

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LOS ANGELES — A jury has awarded over $2.2 million to a protester injured during a demonstration against police brutality in 2020, after he was struck in the face by a less-lethal projectile fired by a sheriff’s deputy. The jury’s ruling came last week, determining that Los Angeles County was responsible for the injuries sustained by Cellin Gluck, a filmmaker known for works such as “Oba: The Last Samurai.” Gluck’s damages were estimated at $3.5 million, while an additional $300,000 was granted to his daughter for the emotional distress she experienced during the incident. However, … Read more

Jury Stalemate Leaves Amherst Police Detective Trial in Limbo as Tension Mounts

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Jurors in Erie County, New York, have remained silent for several days as they deliberate the fate of an Amherst police detective who is facing charges related to a fatal shooting incident from 2021. The jury, comprised of eight women and four men, started its deliberations last week but has not communicated any updates regarding their progress. The case centers on Detective John D. Bagan, who is accused of deliberately using excessive force when he shot and killed 42-year-old Gregory A. Sager during a confrontation outside a grocery store. Prosecutors argue that Bagan acted without … Read more