Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-03204/USCOURTS-cand-3_03-cv-03204-17/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 440
Nature of Suit: Other Civil Rights
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

ESTATE OF RICARDO ESCOBEDO, et al.,

Plaintiffs,

 v.

CITY OF REDWOOD CITY, et al.,

Defendants. /

No. C 03-03204 CRB

ORDER RE: ATTORNEY’S FEES

The Court finds that this lawsuit was not “frivolous, unreasonable or without

foundation.” Christiansburg Garment Co. v. EEOC, 434 U.S. 412, 421 (1978). Ricardo

Escobedo engaged in a prolonged struggle with five to six members of the Redwood City

police force. During this struggle, Escobedo was pepper-sprayed, suffered two broken bones

in his neck, had eight of his ribs fractured, and received restraint wounds to his wrists and

ankles from the use of nunchuks. The coroner who conducted Escobedo’s autopsy said that

the restraint wounds were the worst that she had seen in her career. Escobedo died as a result

of this prolonged struggle. Moreover, despite its current contention that the claims advanced

by Escobedo’s estate are frivolous, Defendants previously attempted to settle them, along

with certain claims advanced by his heirs, for a payment of $250,000.

//

//

Case 3:03-cv-03204-CRB Document 304 Filed 06/11/07 Page 1 of 2
United States District Court

For the Northern District of California

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G:\CRBALL\2003\3204\order re atty fees.wpd 2

Although a jury ultimately found that the force employed by the officers was not

unreasonable, this Court cannot conclude that the result of the estate’s case was “obvious” or

that the estate’s arguments were “wholly without merit.” Galen v. County of Los Angeles,

477 F.3d 652, 666 (9th Cir. 2007). Accordingly, Defendants’ motion for an award of

attorneys’ fees is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: June 11, 2007 

CHARLES R. BREYER

UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

Case 3:03-cv-03204-CRB Document 304 Filed 06/11/07 Page 2 of 2