Son of Woman Slain by Deputy Will Get $1.1 Million

Orange County has agreed to a deal that would provide more than $1.1 million to the 4-year-old son of Deanna Slender, the young Tustin mother who was shot to death by a sheriff’s deputy.

Slender’s husband, Charles, was twice prosecuted in the incident, which began with a simple traffic citation and ended with a gunfight in which two others were injured. Both times, he was vindicated in court.

The county did not acknowledge any liability in the settlement, made on behalf of two deputies involved. The deal was quietly approved by a Superior Court judge late last month.

The June 27, 1984 incident began when Charles Slender was stopped in front of their home by Deputy Leon Bennigsdorf. Bennigsdorf was writing Slender a traffic ticket.

Fight Broke Out

Two Slender brothers, Steve and Monte, came outside and a violent fight broke out that also included a backup deputy, Ben Stripe. Deanna was shot to death by Bennigsdorf while she attempted to break up the melee. Charles was shot and seriously wounded, and Bennigsdorf was shot in the face.

“(The deal) is helpful to the deputies because it reduces any personal liability they may have had,” said David J. Brobeck, lawyer for Bennigsdorf.

What was settled were all claims against the two deputies. What is left are claims by the 4-year-old boy, Charles Brandon Slender, and the three Slender brothers against the county, according to Michael Thamer, lawyer for the Slenders.

In addition, Bennigsdorf has a separately filed damage claim against the brothers.

County claims manager John L. Oskins Jr. confirmed the court record but declined further comment, citing the continuing litigation.

“The county and the county’s excess insurance carrier have funded the Slender settlements in regards to the two deputies,” Oskins.

Oskins confirmed that under the terms of the settlement, the county acknowledges no responsibility or legal liability in the case.

The lawsuit was filed in March, 1985, 10 months before the Slender brothers were cleared by a judge of any criminal wrongdoing. The lawsuit claimed assault and battery, violation of civil rights and wrongful death against the deputies and added claims against the county for negligent hiring.

The deputies and the county all claimed, in part, that the shooting was in self-defense and that the brothers had “violently and viciously” assaulted the officers.

In the incident, Stripe lost his service revolver. Charles had it in his hand when Deanna grabbed his arm, in an apparent attempt to break up fight. The gun went off, and Bennigsdorf began firing at the couple. Deanna was killed, and Charles was shot in both legs.

Charles then shot Bennigsdorf in the face with Stripe’s gun.

Ruled ‘Justified’

A judge ruled last year that Charles was “justified” in shooting Bennigsdorf and dismissed all charges against the Slender brothers.

An earlier round of charges--including assault and attempted murder--were dismissed because the Sheriffs’s Department failed, as ordered, to turn over investigators notes to the defense.

The agreement calls for the purchase of an annuity from Commonwealth Life Insurance Co. providing a series of payments, beginning with $25,000 in 2001 and escalating to $445,000 in 2018.

In addition, a lump sum cash payment is part of the settlement. The amount could not be learned.

Judge Philip E. Schwab approved the settlement, plus $41,000 to the Slenders’ lawyers, Hews & Munoz.