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$183,000 Awarded To California Deputy District Attorney Attacked During Parole Hearing
$183,000 Awarded To California Deputy District Attorney Attacked During
Parole Hearing
In 1980, a California Deputy District Attorney (Savitt) was attacked and
stabbed multiple times by a maximum security prisoner during a parole
hearing. The prisoner had a hand made handcuff key and a hand made knife
hidden in his body cavities. Savitt claims that the three guards failed to
sufficiently search the prisoner, were negligent for allowing the prisoner
to use the restroom unsupervised, and negligent for not keeping the
prisoner under constant guard when they went to lunch leaving the prisoner
alone with Savitt. Savitt suffered a loss of function in both arms and
personality changes involving nightmares, anxiety, and paranoia. Savitt
claims these personality changes destroyed his marriage. The guards denied
negligence and maintained that the incident was unforeseeable.
Savitt initially brought official capacity claims against the State of
California and the California Department of Corrections but were dismissed
on absolute immunity grounds. Savitt refiled seeking recovery from the
three guards in their individual capacities.
In July, 1987, a jury found for Savitt against one of the three guards
rendering a verdict for $183,000. The jury assessed 60% liability against
the prisoner and 40% against the guard. See: Savitt v. Broussal, Unknown
state court, Case No. 105 844.
Parole Hearing
In 1980, a California Deputy District Attorney (Savitt) was attacked and
stabbed multiple times by a maximum security prisoner during a parole
hearing. The prisoner had a hand made handcuff key and a hand made knife
hidden in his body cavities. Savitt claims that the three guards failed to
sufficiently search the prisoner, were negligent for allowing the prisoner
to use the restroom unsupervised, and negligent for not keeping the
prisoner under constant guard when they went to lunch leaving the prisoner
alone with Savitt. Savitt suffered a loss of function in both arms and
personality changes involving nightmares, anxiety, and paranoia. Savitt
claims these personality changes destroyed his marriage. The guards denied
negligence and maintained that the incident was unforeseeable.
Savitt initially brought official capacity claims against the State of
California and the California Department of Corrections but were dismissed
on absolute immunity grounds. Savitt refiled seeking recovery from the
three guards in their individual capacities.
In July, 1987, a jury found for Savitt against one of the three guards
rendering a verdict for $183,000. The jury assessed 60% liability against
the prisoner and 40% against the guard. See: Savitt v. Broussal, Unknown
state court, Case No. 105 844.
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Related legal case
Savitt v. Broussal
| Year | 1987 |
|---|---|
| Cite | Unknown state court, Case No. 105 844 |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Jury Verdict |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 183000 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |