Drexler Wins Homeless Couple $4.1 Million Award: Shot 15 times by LA Sheriff Deputies

HOMELESS PEOPLE in America were determined by a federal judge to have full protections of the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution against unreasonable searches. The excerpt below is from an article by Opposing Views reporter, Evan Bleier, dated August 15, 2013.
A Los Angeles homeless couple who was shot 15 times by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies while they were living in a shack was awarded $4.1 million by a federal judge.

Angel and Jennifer Lynn Mendez were in a shack in the backyard of a private Lancaster residence when two sheriff’s deputies, Christopher Conley and Jennifer Pederson Ballis, entered the dwelling. The deputies were looking for a parolee-at-large.

When the deputies entered the shack, they saw a BB gun that Angel kept to shoot rats and other pests. Conley yelled “Gun!” and the deputies started firing. Apparently they did not notice that Jennifer was five months pregnant.

Angel was shot 14 times and Jennifer was shot once. The parolee was not found on the property, The Los Angeles Times reported. The deputies did not have a warrant. 

“This is a landmark constitutional case,” said the couple’s attorney, David Drexler. “The case has far reaching implications for impoverished individuals to be protected from unlawful searches and use of excessive force by law enforcement.”

Congratulations to Angel and Jennifer Lynn Mendez and the law offices of David Drexler, 

a Super Lawyer with 20 years trial experience 

David Drexler's website gives the following information about the firm:

Los Angeles personal injury attorney David Drexler and his staff are committed to providing excellent and caring representation. With 40 years of legal practice in Los Angeles, the Law Offices of David Drexler has the experience and expertise you need.

We are genuinely concerned about your well-being. We work to nurture a personal relationship with each one of our clients and maintain a "client for life" philosophy that translates into close personal attention and strong bonds continuing long after cases are successfully resolved.

At the Law Offices of David Drexler, we are dedicated to high-quality legal representation, and we strive for a long-standing relationship with our clients and the community. It is a perfect mix for exceptional legal representation.Unlike many law firms, we do not shy away from jury trials. While the largest majority of our personal injury claims are settled out of court, our reputation for engaging in tough and successful litigation provides us with an important bargaining chip to receive full compensation for our valued clients through a settlement.

The staff will do everything necessary and promptly to keep you informed and knowledgeable about your particular legal problem. That means we are committed to accessibility and reliability:

• We listen to you and care about your concerns.
• We return phone calls promptly and answer your questions.
• We work hard to get the best results.

Remember, you pay nothing if we do not win your case. You can contact Los Angeles personal injury attorney David Drexler by email at info@daviddrexlerlaw.comby calling 1-877-99-LA-LAW, (877) 995-2529.

The link for the full Opposing Views article quoted above is
http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/homeless-couple-awarded-41-million-after-being-shot-15-times-la-deputies

Congratulations to the federal judge who ruled that indigent people have rights, too. A surprising number of judges would disagree.

MaryLovesJustice@gmail.com

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