Santa Monica : Murder Suspect Committed to State Hospital
Christopher R. Sykes, who was charged with attempting to murder Santa Monica Police Officer Charles Broneau last April in Palisades Park, was found not guilty by reason of insanity on Monday by Santa Monica Superior Court Judge David N. Fitts.
Sykes was committed to Patton Sate Hospital for a maximum of nine years.
As a result of the assault, Broneau was hospitalized for several days with shoulder and head injuries. He returned to a desk job for a while, but is now on permanent disability, according to a police spokesman.
Four police officers were later suspended for 40 hours each for using excessive force in arresting Sykes. They appealed the suspension but it was upheld by the Personnel Board.
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