Jurors Spread Blame in Police Brutality Case : Newport Beach: Two officers, two ex-police chiefs, a councilman and five former City Council members are found liable in the beating of a man after a traffic arrest.

A federal court jury Thursday found two Newport Beach police officers, two former police chiefs, five former City Council members and a current councilman liable for the beating of an advertising executive during a traffic arrest in 1986.

“It is an amazing verdict,” said Steve Yagman, attorney for Everett Temme. “We have finally nailed the city of Newport Beach from front to back, top to bottom, inside and out. This is the first time a jury found that the city is directly involved in ratifying use of excessive force within a police department.”

The U.S. District Court jury in Los Angeles awarded $285,000 in damages to Temme, 56. The award is to be paid by the two arresting officers, the two former chiefs and the council members, who, the jury concluded, knowingly tolerated the use of excessive force. The city of Newport Beach must also pay Temme’s legal costs, estimated at more than $200,000.

The verdict, which followed 13 hours of deliberation over three days, surprised all parties, including Temme.

“I didn’t know what to expect. It is a feeling of vindication,” Temme said.

“I think it is outrageous,” City Atty. Robert Burnham said. He said the city will appeal.

Defense attorney Tom Feeley said jurors were influenced by the Rodney G. King civil rights trial.

“I am surprised and disappointed . . . and in talking to the jury, some were wanting to send a message” about police brutality, he said.

In June, 1986, Temme, a Nevada resident who lived part time on a yacht in Newport Beach’s Marina Dunes area, was driving to the boat in his silver BMW when he encountered officer Richard Thompson at a Pacific Coast Highway intersection. Thompson and Sgt. Mike McEveny were directing traffic because of a faulty signal.

During the trial, Temme accused the officers of shoving him and bashing his head against the ground and through a broken car window. Thompson and McEveny denied that story, saying they had treated Temme roughly because he reeked of alcohol and resisted arrest.

Temme had only minor injuries and refused medical treatment, Feeley said.

Thompson was found liable for $40,000 in punitive damages for violating Temme’s civil rights. McEveny was found liable for $27,500 in damages. A third officer present at the arrest, Bruce Tice, was found not liable.

The 12-member jury also concluded that the then-City Council and two former police chiefs should be liable for knowingly tolerating a pattern of excessive force by the department’s officers. Only one of the council members, John C. Cox Jr., is still on the council.