Protesters Want Assault Counts Dropped

About two dozen Samoan-Americans picketed the downtown Criminal Courts Building on Wednesday, urging Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner to drop charges against four defendants accused of assaulting sheriff’s deputies who raided a Cerritos bridal shower in 1989.

Earlier this month, a Norwalk Superior Court jury, after viewing a witness’s videotape, acquitted three other people who had been charged with rioting and assaulting deputies during the raid. The defendants and those who were acquitted are Samoan-Americans, and the case stirred outrage in that community.

Still facing misdemeanor charges in Bellflower Municipal Court are sisters Olanda, Emily and Sharon Dole. Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin Young postponed their trial Wednesday until next week so his office can decide whether to continue with the case. Another defendant, Mark Rodarte, is being tried separately on two felony assault charges.

Young declined to reveal the recommendation he has made in the case.

The arrests are being investigated by the FBI to determine whether civil rights violations were involved. Most of the 41 party-goers are part of a damage suit against the county.

“This was out-and-out police brutality,” said Emily Dole. “They barbarically entered our home. Our civil rights were violated. I get chills every time I see a police car.”

Deputies said they were called to the party by neighbors who complained about loud music, rioting and fighting with sticks and knives. The deputies said party-goers refused to disperse. When the deputies attempted to enter the house, they said they were met by a barrage of rocks and bottles.

Attorney Garo Mardirossian, who represents the party-goers, said deputies overreacted when they stormed the party in riot gear. He said the message from the jury was that “there was no criminal misconduct on behalf of the bridal shower participants.”