Lawyers involved in a lawsuit against San Benito County and the
Sheriff’s Department for civil rights violations concerning the
alleged beating of an elderly Hollister resident by two deputies
will attempt to settle the case through a mediation, according to
attorneys.
Hollister – Lawyers involved in a lawsuit against San Benito County and the Sheriff’s Department for civil rights violations concerning the alleged beating of an elderly Hollister resident by two deputies will attempt to settle the case through a mediation, according to attorneys.
If mediation is unsuccessful and a settlement cannot be reached, the case will go before a jury in November, according to the plaintiff’s
attorney Bill Marder. Marder appeared before a Federal Court judge in San Jose Tuesday on behalf of his client, 71-year-old Jose Jimenez. Marder believes the county should cough up a settlement sum for the elderly man who claims sheriff’s deputies David Zander and David Hackman beat him unnecessarily during an arrest last April.
Hackman is also embroiled in a felony assault case in Orange County, where he allegedly attacked a man at a baseball playoff game last October.
Marder wouldn’t elaborate on a dollar amount, but he believes the extent of Jimenez’s injuries could net a number in the six-figure range. Muna Busailah, Hackman’s attorney, did not return phone calls Tuesday.
Jimenez claims in the suit his ribs were broken when Hackman and Zander kicked and beat him with a flashlight during his arrest last April. He also contends he was denied medical treatment after being taken to the county jail without going to the hospital.
Hackman said in his report that Jimenez didn’t have any apparent injuries and had no complaint of pain, however hospital records show that when Jimenez went to the hospital shortly after being released from jail that he had two broken ribs and severe bruising to his side and back.
Sheriff Curtis Hill initiated an internal investigation into Hackman after he was arrested in Anaheim for the alleged beating at an Anaheim Angels/Boston Red Sox playoff game. He has not made a decision yet whether he will retain Hackman or fire him, Hill has said. If Hackman is fired, he would lose his pension.
Erin Musgrave covers public safety for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected]
