Orange County, California has paid $750,000 to Orange County inmate Matthew Ryan Fleuret who was wearing handcuffs when deputies shocked him more than once with a stun gun and kneed him in the head in 2006. In his Orange County personal injury claim, Fleuret alleged excessive use of force by the deputies.
Deputies had accused Fleuret, who was being held in jail after his arrest during a bar fight, of being drunk and "uncooperative." However, while video footage shows the then 24-year-old detainee trying to get out of a cell, several deputies are also seen tackling him to the floor and violently restraining him. Fleuret was even strapped to a restraining chair while a mask was placed over his face. According to Fleuret's Orange County, California injury lawyer, deputies stunned him, 11 times.
This is not the only time that Orange County, California deputies have been accused of police brutality. Footage of Another jailhouse Taser incident shows a woman in "wristlocks" being stunned on the back with a Taser. While a jury did not find that deputies employed police brutality against Lisa Munoz, they nevertheless awarded her $25,000 for battery.
In August 2008, the police department changed its policy, preventing cops from stunning prisoners while they were secured/handcuffed.
The US Justice Department is now investigating whether Orange County jails have engaged in a pattern of civil rights violations, including the use of excessive police force and failure to protect inmates. For example, inmate John Derek Chamberlain was murdered by other inmates in 2006. The fatal assault occurred less than 70 feet from the guard station. A special grand jury heard testimony from people claiming that deputies at Theo Lacy Jail engaged in rampant police misconduct, such as watching TV rather than observing the inmates, sleeping while on the job, and failing to make their rounds.
Orange County, California Police Brutality
Police officers are not allowed to use excessive force unless absolutely warranted. It doesn't matter whether you were arrested or convicted for a crime. Officers must still uphold your civil rights and refrain from inflicting any harm on you or allowing others to hurt you.
Former inmate gets $750,000 in use-of-force settlement, OC Register, April 29, 2010
$750,000 is Magic Number for County of Orange Check Writers, OC Weekly, April 29, 2010
Related Web Resources:
County Correction Facilities & Jails, Orange County
Police Use of Force, Department of Justice
