Black man punched by California officer files rights lawsuit

Source: Associated Press


Kristin J. Bender and Don Thompson, Associated Press Updated 6:51 pm, Monday, April 24, 2017


SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A black man hurled to the ground and punched repeatedly in the face by a police officer this month has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and county of Sacramento, claiming Monday he was targeted because of his race and abused in jail after his arrest.

The lawsuit seeking unspecified monetary damages for Nandi Cain, who police said was jaywalking, also named the officer as a plaintiff and identified him as Anthony Figueroa, said Cain's lawyer, John Burris.
 
Cain told reporters that his memory of the event is blurry because he suffered a concussion and could barely see because of a black eye and that his nose was broken.

Burris said Cain was guilty mainly of "walking while black" and that the incident reminded him of the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King in Los Angeles. Four white police officers were acquitted in King's beating 25 years ago, sparking days of deadly rioting.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/crime/article/Man-punched-repeatedly-by-Sacramento-officer-11094566.php