LOS ANGELES : Judge Won’t Dismiss Suit Over Killings by Officer

A federal judge Monday refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed on behalf of the family of two Samoan brothers who were killed by a Compton police officer during a domestic violence call. But U.S. District Judge Robert Kelleher said he would sanction the law firm representing the relatives of Pouvi and Itali Tualaulelei for repeatedly failing to comply with court orders.

“As messy as this case is, I’m going to allow it to get to trial,” Kelleher said before scheduling a March 15 pretrial hearing. “But I can’t tell you how dim a view I take of the inaction of the plaintiffs.”

Jurors deadlocked in May in the trial of former Compton Police Officer Alfred Skiles Jr., who was charged with voluntary manslaughter in the Feb. 12, 1991, shootings. Pouvi, 34, and Itali, 22, were shot a total of 19 times. Many of those shots hit them in the back, and prosecutors said Skiles had to reload his weapon. The officer, who left the force a short time later, said he shot the brothers in self-defense.