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VOLUME XXI • ISSUE 1 • JANUARY 2016 >> WWW.LAFOCUSNEWSPAPER.COM L.A. FOCUS LAFOCUSNEWSPAPER <<

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UPFRONT AT&T Settles With Byron Allen

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Attorney Areva Martin SAVING GRACE: Unforgettable: Remembering Natalie Cole

PAGE 29 “America’s Dad” Charged With Sexual Assault, Will Be Tried In Criminal Court >> The entertainer once known as “America’s Dad,” was arraigned Wednesday (Dec. 30) on felony charges stemming from an incident where he allegedly drugged and violated a former Temple University employee 12 years ago....

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THE GOOD

L.A.’s Top Black Social Justice Speak Out On Police

STEPHEN ODUNTAN Staff Writer

ver the past year, multiple controversial killings that, as a general rule, civilians have a constitutional says during police encounters. Ask questions like ‘may I of unarmed victims—including Michael Brown right to record interaction with police as long as they are go into my glove compartment to retrieve my driver O in Ferguson, Mo., Tamir Rice in Cleveland and not interfering with the officers carrying out their duties license?’ I say this because traffic stops are among the Eric Garner on Staten Island— garnered unprecedented in public spaces,” said Martin. most unpredictably dangerous of all police encounters.” national attention and exposed an ugly truth our nation “Before the evidence of police dashcam videos, body Douglas is currently working on the case of Zennea has yet to deal squarely with—the notion of justice for all cameras, and [smartphone wielding citizens] recording Foster, a 38-year-old Black woman who was brutally and the role race plays in the legal system. police interactions, it was usually the word of the officer beaten by police officers. While many of the high-profile cases splashed across against the victim; assuming the victim even lived to give “My client suffers from Erb’s palsy, so she does not our nation’s headlines draw a strikingly parallel pattern his or hers side of events. Whatever the officer wrote in have use of her arm,” he told L.A Focus. “During the of facts, the “what-ifs and “if-onlys” in the events leading the police report was rarely challenged. arrest, the officers yelled at her repeatedly because she up to the fatal encounters leave open the unanswered “And so if the opportunity presents itself, you want to was not giving them her left arm.” question how to diffuse potentially violent confrontations record your interactions with police.” with law enforcement altogether. Frequently commenting on such matters has not George L. Mallory, Jr. and Associates New research has found that police officers are come without controversy. Martin has faced criticism for Since 1986, the law firm of George L. Mallory has increasingly discharging their weapons. Officer-involved inciting anti-cop hysteria to gin up outrage. In August, a proudly served the area with a full-range of shootings nearly doubled in 2015, a troubling statistic the panel discussion on HNL’s Dr. Drew exploded after a skilled, quality, and personalized litigation and legal new president of the Police Commission Matt Johnson retired NYPD officer said Martin “advocates shooting at services. As a smaller firm, they pride themselves on described as an “alarming development.” police officers.” offering close, personal attention to their clients. They So this month, L.A. Focus is spotlighting some of the Martin hit back saying, the officer’s comments was have represented celebrity clients and championed the top legal minds in the city when it comes to civil rights— “reprehensible” and scolded him for spewing incendiary rights of “ordinary people” including victims involved in all of whom have made careers on social justice and have remarks. automobile accidents, medical malpractice, defective important insight to offer. “People are misinformed,” Martin told L.A Focus. “I products, and various other injuries related matters. often get into these heated discussions about police bru- Mallory told L.A. Focus one of the reasons he became Areva Martin—Martin & Martin tality on TV, and almost immediately once I’m off the air, an attorney traces to his deep desire to protect and defend As a CNN legal commentatorAreva Martin, who— I get a lot of abusive and offensive post on social media constitutional rights. has become one of the most sought-after legal experts on attacking me. I have been called a racist and a race “I think it is extremely important that people realize television. Her encyclopedic knowledge of the law and baiter. They accuse me of being irresponsible and creat- we all have constitutional rights. But those constitution- unique ability to captivate viewers with riveting conver- ing an environment unsafe for police.” als [must be] pursued in a courtroom—the place where sation has gained her great popularity with the media. you attempt to resolve disputes.” The go-to-legal expert and commentator has made count- Douglas Hicks Law Firm Prosecuting police officers criminally for abusive less television appearances on The Dr. Phil Show, The Carl E. Douglas was a key member of what was behavior can oftentimes prove to be an uphill battle. Doctors, Anderson Cooper 360, , Good known as “the ”—an elite legal fraternity of “This is because people too often tend to think the Morning America and various other daytime talk shows criminal defense attorneys, headed by Johnnie Cochran officer is being forthright,” Mallory said. and cable news outlets including MSNBC, HLN, and in the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Considered a celebrity Fact is having a police-involved shooting caught on Aljazeera. in his right, Douglas has represented the likes of video does not automatically make a solid legal case Throughout her long career in public service, Martin , Queen Latifah, and Sean against the excessive use of force. There are major legal, has built a powerful legacy of fighting for civil rights and Combs. Within a year after leaving in institutional and social impediments to prosecuting offi- bringing justice to grieving families—many who were vic- 1998, he was one of the lawyers involved in a landmark cers. tims of police abuse. case awarded $4.9 billion in damages from General Nonetheless, “with the advent of cellphone video cam- Smartphones and video footage she noted have become Motors—then the largest verdict for a personal injury eras and other recording devices,” said Mallory, “public “game-changing” checks on police power. case in history. Ten years later, Douglas filed a $10 mil- perception of law enforcement has seen a major shift. While litigating the use of deadly force by police often lion lawsuit against the city of L.A. and the LAPD for the “More and more people are beginning to see that some come with significant hurdles, there were several shooting death of Maurice Cox, an unarmed motorist, of the officers version of events are not always consistent instances said Martin, in which a bystander pulled out who was driving in South L.A. with the video evidence.” his or her cellphone and began videotaping police officers Police officers, Douglas said are attracted to the making an arrest that played a major role in terms of pro- adrenaline rush that often comes with the job. Many The Law Offices of Winston Kevin McKesson viding an unbiased account of events, and holding law police officers embrace the reality of choosing a profession Criminal Defense attorney Winston Kevin McKesson enforcement accountable. where imminent danger and action is almost certain. brings over 30 years experience in equal justice. His intu- “First of all, people need to know the courts have held “It might sound simplistic but you have to play Simon Focus 1.16 quark_Focus 7-04 1/2/16 12:39 PM Page 11

itive and counter-argument prowess often undermines McNeill, “it was necessary to obtain obedience.” lawyer, handling numerous high profile police miscon- the ability of prosecutors to obtain convictions. He was duct cases. instrumental in winning significant verdicts and/or set- Milton C. Grimes Despite a new wave of increased attention on officers tlements in countless cases ranging from prison death— Attorney Milton C. Grimes is no stranger to big prone to excessive force, is still rampant based on the failure to provide medication—to police cases. He became nationally recognized after represent- he said. beatings, and unlawful terminations. ing Rodney King in his civil rights suit against the City “Indeed, the general public are more aware of these Before he opened the Law Offices of Winston Kevin of L.A. in which he won a verdict of $3.8 million. incidents of police brutality, but we are still not seeing McKesson in 1990, he worked at the Law Offices of the Colleagues describe him as someone who thrives on what I would consider to be significant change in the way late Johnnie L. Cochran, Jr. for several years. He pushing the limit for his clients. For more than two police officers are behaving.” believes the only information anyone should divulge dur- decades he has tackled numerous police misconduct Police officers’ continued Dunn, have the right to ing an arrest is the information provided on his or hers cases involving police brutality. He believes more focus take your life and get away it. As a cautionary tale for driver license. should be dedicated to improving police training and the young people—particularly young Black men—who tend “Police officers will go to extreme lengths to incrimi- consequences of police officers abusing their authority. to have more frequent encounter with law enforcement, nate you; even if it means lying against you,” McKesson Civilian deaths at the hands of police have gotten Dunn underscored the importance of remaining calm and said. worse—not better, according to 2013 FBI data that polite during such tense moments. Yes, there might be a variety of indicators, McKesson showed 461 felony suspects were killed by police—the continued, that show significant improvements in the highest total in two decades. John Sweeney criminal justice system—at least from the turbulent civil Grimes noted compliance does not always prevent In a career that spans over three decades, it is diffi- rights era standpoint. But certain segments of the popu- interactions with law enforcement ending badly. cult to point to one or two cases that have defined his lation still too often give police officers the benefit of the Said Grimes, “If the suspect lies down, he or she career. John Sweeney defended Michael Jackson at his doubt. might not be complying with the officers instructions. child molestation trial, a case in which many experts

Areva Martin Carl Douglas Winston McKesson Brian Dunn

“No matter how much evidence there is against a bad Even if the suspect kneels down, they still might not be believe it was Sweeney’s defense witness; film star Chris cop, we tend to find some people are still sympathetic doing what the officer wants the suspect to do.” Tucker’s testimony that was pivotal to Jackson’s acquit- toward the officer. They will exhaust every alternative “Rodney King was severely beaten because he did not tal. In 2001, Sweeney won a $2.4 million verdict on not to convict law enforcement; no matter how blatant put his hands behind his back. If you analyze the video- behalf of an elderly man who was the victim of an unlaw- the abuse of authority appears.” tape, you see that each time King attempted to get up off ful police shooting. the ground, officers struck him with their wooden batons. He’s the only attorney in history who is believed to Ivie McNeill & Wyatt Put your hands behind your back, Nigger.” have received a not guilty verdict in a death penalty trial Ricky Ivie, a senior partner of Ivie, McNeill & Wyatt Grimes called the footage a classic case of law and a verdict above $1 million in a civil case. offered some blunt advise about de-escalating confronta- enforcement caught on tape beating a suspect into sub- Sweeney also represented the parents of Robert tion with law enforcement. “You may be right, but it’s mission. Citing these types of civilian-police encounters, Thomas, a 21-year-old Compton man shot dead by L.A. equally important for you not to be dead right,” he said. it could be difficult he said to follow the officers’ com- County Sheriff’s deputy. In 2013, a Compton jury award- “If you want to take full advantages of your rights, then mands “verbatim” but added, civilians should always be ed $7.5 million to the parents. Sweeney called the settle- get a lawyer.” mindful to cooperate with the arresting officer to a rea- ment an historical verdict. With some of the most highly experienced and top- sonable extent. “There used to be a time when a jury would never notch lawyers on staff, Ivie McNeill & Wyatt has a award anything remotely close to six figures in damages unique combination of legal minds specialized in crimi- Caree Harper to an African-American victim of excessive force,” he nal law. The law firm has been serving the L.A. area Caree Harper has a deep passion for providing dili- said. since 1943 and has risen through the ranks becoming the gent legal service. Before becoming an attorney, she was largest African-American owned law firm in the state. a police officer. The attorney who made national head- Olu Orange Ricky Ivie has tried over 75 jury trials including the pub- lines last year in the case of Marlene Pinnock, the 51- Olu Orange is a civil rights attorney who has won lished, precedent setting cases of Gerald Huffman et al year-old Black woman whose brutal beating by a millions in verdicts and settlements in civil rights cases. vs. County of L.A. and Lincoln Pullen vs. The Vons California Highway Patrol officer was caught on video, He has successfully litigated complex probate matters for Companies. believes jury service is of paramount significance. iconic entertainers' estates as well. He also teaches trial He said nothing beats hiring a legal expert to ensure “I often find myself praying for a diverse jury panel advocacy as a faculty member at the University of that the “few bad police officers” that hide behind a and that prospective jurors do not say things to get them- Southern California. badge and abuse their power are dealt with and rooted selves disqualified. If we have a jury panel full of retirees Notably the legal system has also seen more plaintiff out quickly. However, “confrontation is not an option. You or people from upper-class backgrounds, you will find lawyers across the country taking on cases of police bru- must always comply with police, no matter what. that it often is not reflective of the defendants’ peers. tality, perhaps lured by big verdicts and settlements. Because being dead right,” he reiterated, “will do you no “And so I’ve told friends and family members of mine Orange believes it is an important milestone for the legal good.” they should not come smiling to me when they intention- practice. Robert McNeill echoed similar sentiments. ally eliminate themselves from jury service. We as “I think it is a good thing because the more lawyers “Even if you have been falsely accused or wrongly lawyers depend on the diversity in a jury panel for a fair involved in these kinds of cases the more pressure it will arrested, do not talk trash to the police,” he said. trial.” put on police reforms. “Talking smack to an officer can only make matters She believes more needs to be done in holding police “It ultimately serves public interest that people are worse.” officers accountable to curb the violent culture of policing now more than willing to question police behavior—par- McNeill gained popularity from his TV commentary in the black community. ticularly when it comes to killing people.” and numerous high profile cases including a 2006 land- “The general public has gotten used to seeing an offi- On the other hand, police officials argue the best way mark victory against Kaiser Health Plan. His extensive cer beating a black suspect on TV, but if was a blonde to avoid a violent confrontation is to comply with the offi- knowledge of the law earned him a spot on the Daily white female caught on tape being brutally beaten by cer’s verbal command because it often sets the tone for Journal’s prestigious list of top 100 lawyers. say, for instance, an officer of color, there would be a huge the ultimate outcome of police encounters. 2016 Focus /January L.A. Weighing in on the significant attention police body- outcry. In fact, the officer would more likely end up in The problem countered some attorneys we consulted mounted cameras has attracted in recent months, jail.” for this editorial is that any failure to immediately com- McNeill urged caution against jumping to conclusion and Sadly, Harper added, “officers are getting away with ply with arbitrary or quite frankly unreasonable police wrongfully convicting the officer. videotaped murder.” orders, often becomes a license for an officer to use The veteran attorney revealed that although cam- excessive force, or worse, shoot to kill. eras have often brought clarity to controversial officer- Brian Dunn — The Cochran Firm “It is now very common,” said Orange, “for an officer civilian encounters, several cases have also been dis- The late Johnnie Cochran hired Brian T. Dunn in to fire their weapons when they perceive a possible missed after video footage was viewed in its entirety. 1992 as a specialist in civil rights litigation, specifically threat as opposed to an actual threat.” A significant “I’ve had cases that didn’t go anywhere because the police misconduct cases. He has spent his entire career at number of [civilians] have died explained Orange on the video showed that the person was not obeying the offi- the firm. Through the years, Dunn quickly established a grounds an officer believed he or she posed a possible cer's instructions.” Under such circumstances says reputation for himself as a talented and sagacious threat. But the civilian perhaps wasn’t a threat. 11