Judge Orders Review in Firing of Officer
Officials in Pasadena lacked sufficient evidence and should reconsider their 1987 firing of Police Officer James Ballestero, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David P. Yaffe has ruled.
In his Tuesday ruling in a Ballestero’s lawsuit against the city, Yaffe said he could find “no substantial evidence” that the officer used excessive force in arresting Steve Rivers and Michael Zinzun during a violent confrontation in 1986 with residents of the Community Arms apartment complex.
Yaffe said “abundant evidence” exists that excessive force was used against Zinzun, who was blinded in one eye, but the evidence did not prove that Ballestero was the one officer among many at the scene who harmed Zinzun.
Acting Police Chief Bruce Philpott declined comment.
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