A jury this week rejected a man's claim that Long Beach Police officers used excessive force when they shot him during a foot pursuit in 2007.
During the week-long trial at the Long Beach Superior Court, the plaintiff -- Michael Greer -- and his attorney -- Brian Dunn -- charged Greer was wrongly identified as a member of group of suspected gang members and that police also mistakenly thought Greer's cell phone was a gun when Greer was shot twice by police.
Greer sued the two officers as well as the city, said Monte Machit, principal deputy city attorney for Long Beach.
Machit said the lawsuit stemmed from an incident on Oct. 10, 2007, when the two officers -- Eduardo Saldana and Gerrit De Jongh -- were patrolling in a high crime area of North Long Beach, near Paramount Boulevard and 56th Way.
Another officer, also on patrol in the area, saw a group of young black men standing at the corner and saw one of the men flash gang signs and say "What's up punk?" while lifting his shirt to reveal what appeared to be a weapon.
When that officer stopped to investigate the group scattered, prompting the officer to broadcast the information to other officers in area, Machit said.
Moments later, Saldana and De Jongh saw the plaintiff walking through a nearby apartment complex and De Jongh ordered the plaintiff to stop and show his hands.
Greer refused and, while holding the waistband of his pants, took of running, Machit said.
De Jongh and Saldana took off after Greer, and when Greer rounded the corner of Paramount and 56th Way, he slipped and fell. The officers also saw what they described was a silver automatic handgun fall from Greer's pocket.
The officers again ordered Greer to stop and leave the gun on the ground, Machit said.
Greer, however, picked up the object and pointed it at Saldana, prompting Saldana and De Jongh both to open fire.
About five rounds were fired, but none hit Greer, Machit said.
Greer got up and ran again with the pair of officers right behind him firing 12 more shots. Two rounds hit Greer, who continued to flee into a residential area where he evaded police for five hours, the city attorney said.
A SWAT team eventually found Greer and arrested him on a parole violation, police said.
In Greer's suit he claimed he had not been with the group of suspected gang members, he was in the area to get a haircut. Greer also said he did not have a gun and he said what dropped from his pocket when he fell was a silver cell phone.
"In fact, no gun was located on Greer when he was apprehended and no gun shell casings were found from any gun other that the police officers'," Machit said.
The jury deliberated about 16 hours before delivering their verdict in favor of the officers Monday afternoon, Machit said.
Neither Greer nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
During the week-long trial at the Long Beach Superior Court, the plaintiff -- Michael Greer -- and his attorney -- Brian Dunn -- charged Greer was wrongly identified as a member of group of suspected gang members and that police also mistakenly thought Greer's cell phone was a gun when Greer was shot twice by police.
Greer sued the two officers as well as the city, said Monte Machit, principal deputy city attorney for Long Beach.
Machit said the lawsuit stemmed from an incident on Oct. 10, 2007, when the two officers -- Eduardo Saldana and Gerrit De Jongh -- were patrolling in a high crime area of North Long Beach, near Paramount Boulevard and 56th Way.
Another officer, also on patrol in the area, saw a group of young black men standing at the corner and saw one of the men flash gang signs and say "What's up punk?" while lifting his shirt to reveal what appeared to be a weapon.
When that officer stopped to investigate the group scattered, prompting the officer to broadcast the information to other officers in area, Machit said.
Moments later, Saldana and De Jongh saw the plaintiff walking through a nearby apartment complex and De Jongh ordered the plaintiff to stop and show his hands.
Greer refused and, while holding the waistband of his pants, took of running, Machit said.
De Jongh and Saldana took off after Greer, and when Greer rounded the corner of Paramount and 56th Way, he slipped and fell. The officers also saw what they described was a silver automatic handgun fall from Greer's pocket.
The officers again ordered Greer to stop and leave the gun on the ground, Machit said.
Greer, however, picked up the object and pointed it at Saldana, prompting Saldana and De Jongh both to open fire.
About five rounds were fired, but none hit Greer, Machit said.
Greer got up and ran again with the pair of officers right behind him firing 12 more shots. Two rounds hit Greer, who continued to flee into a residential area where he evaded police for five hours, the city attorney said.
A SWAT team eventually found Greer and arrested him on a parole violation, police said.
In Greer's suit he claimed he had not been with the group of suspected gang members, he was in the area to get a haircut. Greer also said he did not have a gun and he said what dropped from his pocket when he fell was a silver cell phone.
"In fact, no gun was located on Greer when he was apprehended and no gun shell casings were found from any gun other that the police officers'," Machit said.
The jury deliberated about 16 hours before delivering their verdict in favor of the officers Monday afternoon, Machit said.
Neither Greer nor his attorney could be reached for comment.
I am glad that the jury rejected the claim of this idiot, who ran from the police and then wants to sue them for his stupid black actions that caused his injuries. If he was not guilty...WHY RUN??????? anyone in their right mind would stop and let the police do what they need to do to clear you and get you on your way again..........And this is not being racial....Just facts...........
what? Dont run when you are black.in a crime area when the police say stop? RUN FOR COVER YOU ASS BECAUSES THEY WILL KILL YOU. ITS KILL OR BE KILLED IN THAT AREA OF TOWN. WHITIE WONT KNOW THAT. WHAT THE MOVIE FELON ASS.