LOS ANGELES (CN) - California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Deveny beat Cesar Gonzalez to death with his baton while Gonzalez "lay prone and without resistance on the gravel" in Baker, Calif., Gonzalez's mother and children claim in Federal Court.
Deveny is accused of beating Gonzalez for 20 minutes while Gonzalez lay without resisting. "This was witnessed by many persons who called the newspapers and the California Highway Patrol concerned that Deveny was using excessive force upon Cesar Gonzalez," the complaint states.
Deveny allegedly beat Gonzalez senseless on Aug. 27, 2007. He died Sept. 13. The family demands punitive damages. They are represented by Eva Garcia-Mendoza of Las Vegas.
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