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The City of Santa Monica has been ordered to pay $1.1 million to a man who was pepper sprayed during an altercation with police last year.
Officers said Justin L. Palmer, 36, was actively resisting arrest when he was sprayed, but Palmer said he was merely charging his electrical vehicle at a city charging station near a park at the time. The father of four had been cited by officers for violating the park curfew which, it turns out, was not clearly posted.
The City Attorney’s Office declined to charge Palmer and he later filed a federal lawsuit claiming excessive force. A jury awarded him the $1.1 million in damages on Sep. 2.
The City of Santa Monica has not said whether or not it will appeal the decision.
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Published 9 years ago
Last updated 2 weeks ago
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