The Region - News from Dec. 24, 1986

A 74-year-old woman who says she was thrown to the ground and beaten by a motorcycle police officer after arguing over a ticket filed suit against the City of Los Angeles. Thelma R. Wilson, who suffers from arthritis, diabetes and a heart condition, said Officer Marion Newton stopped her just after she had pulled into a supermarket parking lot; he accused her of running a red light. Wilson said she denied it and got out of her car, but as she was locking it, the officer knocked her hand off the door. He then grabbed her by the neck, wrestled her cane away from her and threw her to the ground, according to the suit. Wilson said the officer broke her cane over his knee and began kicking and beating her, injuring her head, neck and back. Spokesmen for the Los Angeles Police Department and the city attorney’s office said they could not comment on pending litigation. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.