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$2,000,000 Settlement in California Excessive Force Prison Shooting
On August 28, 1993, while imprisoned at California's Chuckawalla Valley
State Prison, Kenneth Newton, 37, found himself in the middle of a riot
between African-American and Hispanic prisoners. Many grabbed weapons of
opportunity including weights, brooms, sticks, mop handles, and other
devices.
Four guards were trying to control over 300 prisoners involved. When some
of the guards and other prisoners were injured, a call went out to post
weapons. One guard fired four shots from a Mini-14 rifle into the gymnasium
floor, striking prisoner Newton in the face and eyes.
Newton lost his left eye and had such damage to his right eye that he
sustained bilateral blindness. He also suffered frontal lobe brain damage.
Prior to trial, the State of California agreed in December 1996 to settle
the case by paying Newton $1,450,000 cash and a lifetime annuity of $3,600
per month for 20 years, to total $2,000,000. See: Newton v. Roberts,
California Superior Court, Riverside County, Case No: R253408
State Prison, Kenneth Newton, 37, found himself in the middle of a riot
between African-American and Hispanic prisoners. Many grabbed weapons of
opportunity including weights, brooms, sticks, mop handles, and other
devices.
Four guards were trying to control over 300 prisoners involved. When some
of the guards and other prisoners were injured, a call went out to post
weapons. One guard fired four shots from a Mini-14 rifle into the gymnasium
floor, striking prisoner Newton in the face and eyes.
Newton lost his left eye and had such damage to his right eye that he
sustained bilateral blindness. He also suffered frontal lobe brain damage.
Prior to trial, the State of California agreed in December 1996 to settle
the case by paying Newton $1,450,000 cash and a lifetime annuity of $3,600
per month for 20 years, to total $2,000,000. See: Newton v. Roberts,
California Superior Court, Riverside County, Case No: R253408
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Related legal case
Newton v. Roberts
| Year | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Cite | California Superior Court, Riverside County, Case |
| Level | State Trial Court |
| Conclusion | Settlement |
| Attorney Fees | 0 |
| Damages | 2,000,000.00 |
| Injunction Status | N/A |