Shootings, Beatings Provoke Neighborhood Suits

Highlights of some of the lawsuits filed against the Sheriff’s Department from the unincorporated Duarte neighborhood:

1982--DeLois Young, who lived in Duarte a few blocks across the city line from the unincorporated neighborhood, is shot by Deputy Robert Armstrong and loses her 8-month-old fetus. Armstrong is convicted of second-degree murder but serves only eight months in County Jail. Young and her family are awarded $350,000 as part of a settlement of her civil lawsuit.

1986--Eugene Rogers suffers broken ribs after being beaten by Deputy George Markel and two other officers. He is charged with resisting arrest and possession of cocaine but is acquitted by a Pasadena Superior Court jury. Markel has since been charged with armed robbery in connection with a separate incident and is awaiting trial in Florida.

1988--Asmires Ramirez is shot twice in a raid--also conducted by Markel--arrested for assault and released after a week in jail without charges. A federal jury awards him $450,000, but a judge reduces the figure and he settles for $228,000.

1988--Don Baity is stopped while driving by officers who allegedly frisk him, twist his arms behind his back and throw him in jail for assault. He is released the next day without charges and files a $3-million lawsuit in federal court.

May 23, 1990--Leroy Griffith is stopped by deputies while walking home and is allegedly clubbed on the head with their flashlights. He is charged with assaulting an officer and possession of cocaine. Although criminal charges are still pending, Griffith has filed a lawsuit charging the officers with excessive force.

June 6, 1990--Fourteen homes are raided by deputies at 5 a.m. as part of a hunt for members of a local street gang. Residents complain that they are subjected to racial taunts, their homes are severely damaged and possessions destroyed. Alleging that the searches were illegal, they are planning to join in a suit against the Sheriff’s Department.