Excessive Force Suit Against Huntington Police Dismissed

An Orange County jury deliberated just 45 minutes Thursday before dismissing an excessive force lawsuit by a Long Beach man who claimed Huntington Beach police assaulted him during an arrest five years ago.

“Justice was served and the promptness of the jury’s verdict demonstrates that,” said Mark Rutter, a Long Beach lawyer who represented the city.

Walter Grantham, a 43-year-old screen fabricator, was seeking $550,000 damage from the city and Officer Richard McMillan, an eight-year veteran.

Grantham alleged that McMillan slammed his face into the pavement after officers stopped a car in which Grantham was a passenger. The car was stopped by officers because it had been reported stolen to Long Beach police a few days before. It was recovered before the May 27, 1989 car stop, but Long Beach police failed to update their computer record on the stolen vehicle, according to testimony during the trial in Orange County Superior Court.

Grantham said he suffered cuts on his chin and aggravated a back injury he had suffered after falling down a stairway.

Superior Court Judge William F. Rylaarsdam earlier ruled that police officers had not violated Grantham’s civil rights by detaining him.

Grantham’s attorney, Mark Carrozzo, could not be reached for comment. But in closing remarks Thursday, the attorney said his client only wanted to be compensated for his injuries.