Agency ‘Knew of Problems’ : Peyer, CHP Sued by Victim’s Father

The father of slain San Diego State University student Cara Evelyn Knott filed suit Thursday against the California Highway Patrol and the officer accused of killing her, saying the law enforcement agency knew Craig Peyer improperly stopped women motorists and had a drinking problem.

The suit, filed in San Diego Superior Court, seeks unspecified damages from Peyer, the CHP and the State of California for emotional loss, funeral expenses and the loss of Knott’s earning potential.

“We’re looking to compensate these people for loss of society and comfort,” said Patrick R. Frega, the attorney who filed the suit on behalf of John Samuel Knott, administrator of his daughter’s estate.

Frega said Knott’s death deprived her parents of the ability “to grow old gracefully with their children and grandchildren and to pass away into eternity knowing that when you do, you have someone to survive you. You have your daughter, your grandchildren and you’ve accomplished something in life.”

2 Years Before Trial

Frega also said he expected the suit to result in “multimillion-dollar” damages, and that it would take close to two years before the matter ever came to trial in civil court.

Cara Knott, a 20-year-old college honors student, was strangled Dec. 17 on the Old U.S. 395 bridge near Interstate 15 and the Mercy Road off-ramp. Her body--thrown into a dry creek bed 65 feet below--was discovered the next morning.

Women’s Testimony

Peyer, 37, was arrested in connection with the killing Jan. 15, charged with murder and was ordered bound over for trial after a preliminary hearing in April. During the hearing, several women testified that Peyer had pulled them over and detained them for what they believed were excessive lengths of time.

Peyer was fired in May by the CHP, which conducted an internal investigation that concluded he killed Knott “without justification.” He was released on bail pending the trial.

Alleges Dissipation

The suit filed by Knott’s father, however, claims the CHP should have known Peyer was dangerous.

It alleges that while employed by the agency and the State of California, the former officer “exhibited traits of dissipation and irresponsibility” by stopping female motorists and becoming “overly familiar and (engaging) in improper discussions” with them.

It also alleged that Peyer “habitually engaged in periods of drunkenness” during which he exhibited a “vicious character and possessed an ungovernable temper.”

The CHP and the state had “knowledge of Peyer’s . . . violent and unsavory characteristics (and) were negligent in . . . not ordering him to cease and desist the loathsome conduct as described . . . .”

Frega said the allegations in the suit are based on an investigation conducted by his office.

Responds to Charges

But CHP Border Division Chief Ben Killingsworth, responding to charges that Peyer had a drinking problem, said “nothing like that was ever brought to our attention” during the CHP’s internal investigation.

Thursday’s civil suit comes four months after Knott’s father filed a $3-million damage claim against the CHP and state. The claim was rejected.