Date: 03-30-2004

Case Style: Angela Byrd and Titus Byrd v. City of Long Beach, et al.

Case Number: Unknown

Judge: Unknown

Court: Superior Court, Los Angeles County, California

Plaintiff's Attorney:

Randy McMurray, Law Offices of Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr., P.C., Los Angeles, Califronai

Defendant's Attorney:

Depty City Attorney Belinda R. Mayes, Long Beach, California

Description:

Angela Byrd and Titus Parhams claimed that Long Beach Police Office Eduardo De La Torre, Sgt. Timothy O'Donnell and other offices called by De La Torre who called for assistance in dealing with Marcella Byrd who threatened him with a knife after being confronted in a parking lot about shoplifting a cart of groceries from a Pacific Avenue market. The incident occurred on January 19, 2002. Mrs. Byrd, age 57, an apparent schizophrenic, did not respond appropriately when confronted by Office De La Torre. He called about a "5150" suspect, the police code for a mentally ill person, and backup arrived. Sgt. Timothy O'Donnell shot a beanbag at her leg. The 5 foot 4 inch 277 pound woman hardly reacted to being hit by the beanbag according to testimony. She was shot a second time in the thigh. She raised the knife in her hand in response to being hit by the second beanbag and was shot five times and killed. The plaintiffs claimed that the officers used excessive force when they shot the plaintiffs' mother.

Outcome: Plaintiffs' verdict for $210,000 with a finding that Byrd was 20% at fault.

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: None