Civil suit vs. Webb on hold as attorneys await word on criminal charges
Court proceedings in the civil suit filed against former San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy Ivory Webb remain on hold while attorneys await word from federal prosecutors about potential criminal charges against Webb.
Webb's attorney in the civil case, Eugene Ramirez, said in an interview Wednesday that he has left several messages with the U.S. Attorney's Office inquiring about possible criminal charges, but has not heard back.
Webb was videotaped shooting off-duty Air Force Airman Elio Carrion on Jan. 29, 2006 following a high-speed chase in Chino.
Webb shot Carrion three times even though Carrion appeared to follow Webb's commands. Webb was acquitted of criminal charges brought by county prosecutors after the shooting.
Carrion filed a civil suit in federal court seeking payment for damages from Webb, San Bernardino County, and Sheriff Gary Penrod.
Because of the silence from prosecutors about possible federal criminal charges, the federal judge in Webb's civil case has been reluctant to set trial dates, Ramirez said.
"If there is a criminal prosecution it will probably stay the civil case," Ramirez said.
Attorneys in the civil case held a status conference hearing with U.S. District Court Judge Otis Wright via conference call on Wednesday, Ramirez said.
The attorneys said during the hearing they had not heard anything about criminal charges being brought by federal prosecutors against Webb, Ramirez said.
The conference call was mired by static and the attorneys and judge had a difficult time hearing one another, Ramirez said.
The attorneys will appear in person for a status hearing on Jan. 12 in Wright's downtown Los Angeles courtroom, Ramirez said.
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