Jury Award Against Chief Gates Upheld

A federal judge has upheld the $170,014 jury award against Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates in the case of an East Los Angeles man whose nose was broken by police officers.

Attorneys for both Gates and the plaintiffs said the verdict was the first in the nation to hold liable the active police chief of a major city for excessive force committed by his officers.

U.S. District Judge Robert Takasugi rejected the city’s request to set aside the verdict reached by a six-member federal court jury last fall in favor of Jessie Larez, his wife and five children over a June 13, 1986, raid on their home.

Six members of the police anti-gang unit allegedly ransacked the house, broke Larez’s nose and roughed up his children while looking for a gun used in a gang killing. No gun was found.

Jurors initially assessed $90,503 in damages against the officers. After a second phase, the jury assessed $170,000 in punitive damages against Gates. The Larez family’s attorneys, Stephen and Marian Yagman, vowed to reject a check from the city, insisting that the $170,000 come out of Gates’ pocket.

Asst. City Atty. Richard Helgeson said Gates will appeal and that if he loses, the city will pay.