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California Prisoner's Excessive Force Claims Settled for $1,750

California prison officials paid a prisoner $1,750 to settle his excessive force suit, which sought $800,000 in damages.

On July 21, 2005, California prisoner Keith Williams complained of a meager breakfast serving. Guard David Ramirez told Williams he was not getting anything else and to leave.

When Williams reached his seat, he found a hair in his food and returned to Ramirez to complain about the unsanitary tray. Ramirez refused to speak with him.

When Williams asked to speak to the Culinary Sergeant, he was told to leave before he was shot. When Williams persisted, he was told to place his hands behind his back and Ramirez handcuffed him so tightly that his wrists bled and bruised.

Ramirez locked Williams in an isolation cage. Later, Ramirez told Williams that he did not intend to issue a disciplinary report, but would if Williams appealed his actions or complained to prison officials.

Williams did grieve Ramirez's actions and filed federal suit on September 28, 2006. He alleged that Ramirez violated the fourth and eighth amendments to the United States Constitution. He sought compensatory damages of $25,000, punitive damages of $750,000 and general damages of $25,000.

On July 8, 2009, prison officials agreed to pay Williams $1,750 to settle his claims. See: Williams v. Ramirez, U.S.D.C. (E.D. Cal.), Case No. 2:06-cv-02151-WBS-DAD.

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Related legal case

Williams v. Ramirez