The kinfolk of a lady whose lifeless physique was allegedly molested by a police officer will obtain $250,000 to finish their lawsuit in opposition to the town, the Los Angeles Metropolis Council determined Wednesday.
The settlement, accredited on a 14-0 vote, comes 5 years after the Los Angeles Police Division accused Officer David Rojas of fondling the physique of 34-year-old Elizabeth Baggett after she was discovered lifeless at her residence.
After Rojas was arrested, Baggett’s members of the family sued the city, saying they skilled “extreme emotional misery” upon studying what occurred. They accused the town of negligence, invasion of privateness and mishandling of human stays.
The incident happened in 2019, when Rojas and one other officer responded to Baggett’s residence. Paramedics had coated her physique with a sheet. Whereas his accomplice was out of the room, Rojas lifted the sheet, exposing the lifeless lady’s higher torso, then squeezed her proper breast twice, in keeping with the LAPD.
Rojas, whose actions have been recorded by his own body camera, was later charged with felony sexual contact with human stays. He pleaded not guilty. Showing at his preliminary listening to in 2021, he stated he knew he was being recorded by the physique digicam and touched the girl just for investigative functions, not sexual arousal.
Rojas, throughout his testimony, stated he touched her breast twice after noticing a mark he couldn’t establish. He stated he squeezed the world to find out whether or not the mark was a wound — an account {that a} decide within the case referred to as “extremely unpersuasive.”
Final 12 months, one other decide positioned Rojas in an 18-month psychological well being diversion program, in keeping with courtroom data. Rojas has been relieved of obligation however stays on the pressure in an unpaid capability whereas he awaits a disciplinary listening to, stated LAPD spokesperson Kelly Muniz.
Gloria Allred, a lawyer for the Baggett household, stated her shoppers had no remark. In 2020, Janet Baggett, Elizabeth’s mom, stated she was “infuriated that this man had so little respect for one more human being.”
The Los Angeles Police Protecting League, which represents rank-and-file officers, didn’t defend Rojas in his legal case, calling his actions “vile.” In 2021, the union stated it hoped the legal prices would “convey some solace to the deceased lady’s household throughout their time of grieving.”
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