Tacoma cops busted
Via Balko, a beautiful tongue-lashing by Judge Alex Kozinski of the 9th Circuit Court. The cops thought they were not required to have a warrant to break into a home and terrorize the home's owner. The jury thought otherwise. The cops appealed, claiming immunity. Kozinski was so not impressed:
..a jury made up of seven members of the community heard the evidence and unanimously ruled in Frunz’s favor. By not only finding defendants liable, but also imposing punitive damages, the jury determined that the officers acted in reckless or malicious disregard of plaintiff’s constitutional rights. Only the most misguided optimism would cause defendants, and those who are paying for their defense, to appeal the verdict under these circumstances. Surely, the citizens of Tacoma would not want to be treated in their own homes the way the jury found officers Stril, Morris and Alred treated Frunz and her guests. A prompt payment of the verdict, accompanied by a letter of apology from the city fathers and mothers, might have been a more appropriate response to the jury’s collective wisdom.10 AFFIRMED. 10 Defendants and their counsel shall show cause within 14 days why they should not be assessed double costs and attorney’s fees for filing a frivolous appeal. Fed. R. App. P. 38.
Comments
Posted by: Ron
Posted on: January 10, 2009 11:44 PM
Its about time Tacoma cops were burned. I waited a full FOUR hours after having a car accident where the driver took off they finally came.
I left that stinkin' city soon after. Its a no-good pesthole of a town. A disgrace to the state. The streets are wrecked, dirty, and bridges have girders hanging down. No jobs or economy at all.
Needs to be bulldozed-start over!
Posted by: Tyler
Posted on: February 25, 2009 06:04 PM
I like to see cops get busted. Too bad Seattle cops dont get it as Tac ones do. Just the opposite the cities are.