Carl Edwards (2017)

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Overview

Body-worn camera and witness video

On July 30, 2017, Vallejo California Police Department officers Spencer Muniz-Bottomley, Bretton Wagoner, and Mark Thompson were searching for a person wearing a white tank top and black jeans who had used a slingshot against children in the area. Muniz-Bottomley approached Edwards who was wearing a grey shirt and brown pants as he was working on a fence outside of his workshop. Muniz-Bottomley ordered Edwards to put his hands on his head and then grabbed Edwards, who struggled.[1][2][3]

Seeing the struggle, Wagoner and Thompson arrived to assist. The officers got Edwards to the ground. Edwards can be seen bleeding as the officers worked to handcuff him.[3] Sergeant Steven Darden and other officers arrived. One officer punches Edwards several times with a closed fist.[4]

Edwards was originally charged with multiple felonies for assaulting the police and children.[1]

The incident was captured on officers' body-worn camera and a witness's camera.

Around September 2018, the charges against Edwards were dropped for "lack of sufficient evidence".[1]

On September 5, 2018, Edwards filed a federal lawsuit, alleging that the officers used excessive force.[4][2]

On September 28, 2020, the city filed their response to the lawsuit, claiming that the officers used reasonable force and did not engage in any wrongful or negligent conduct.[5]

On October 20, 2020, the lawsuit was settled for $750,000.[6][7] The city will pay the first $500,000, with the rest being covered by insurance.[3]

Officers Involved


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lisa Fernandez, Vallejo pays $750K to man who suffered 'brutal, unprovoked police beatdown:' attorneys, KTVU, 2020-11-20
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Scott Morris, Ten years since Vallejo police’s deadliest year, $12.7 million has been paid to settle civil rights lawsuits, Vallejo Sun, 2022-01-04
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 John Glidden, Vallejo settles excessive force lawsuit for $750,000, Vallejo Sun, 2020-11-19
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Edwards v. City of Vallejo et al Complaint, U.S. District Court, 2018-09-05
  5. ↑ John Glidden, New excessive force complaint filed against VPD; video shows incident, Times-Herald, 2018-10-02
  6. ↑ Edwards vs City of Vallejo, et al, U.S. District Court, 2020-10-20
  7. ↑ John Glidden, Vallejo police officer driving truck during Monterrosa shooting is leaving to take job in Napa, Vallejo Sun, 2021-09-24

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