Claim filed against Salinas for violent suspect arrest
The family of Jose Velasco is taking the first steps toward legal action against Salinas Police. He’s the man at the center of the brutal police confrontation caught on video two weeks ago. NewsChannel 5 was there when the paperwork was filed Thursday morning.
Well known civil rights attorney John Burris filed a claim against the city, saying Velasco’s rights were violated. Burris said he expects the claim to be rejected, that opens the door to a possible lawsuit. The family said they’re still reeling from what happened nearly two weeks ago.
“June 5th has forever changed who I am. Watching that graphic video, and hearing those 911 calls, especially from my mother has forever and ever traumatized me,” sister Sabina Velasco said.
That’s why the family, with the help of Burris, has filed a claim against the city of Salinas. According to the documents filed, Velasco’s civil rights were violated, and included allegations of assault and emotional distress.
“It was woefully unnecessary, excessive and in our own minds, criminal,” Burris said.
Burris is also asking for the federal government to step in and investigate for any criminal wrongdoing.
“We should not leave it in the local hands of the police to investigate themselves because we have known the history here, police policing themselves does not necessarily lead to an objective outcome,” Burris said.
He also wants the names of the officers involved in that video. But Salinas Police Chief Kelly McMillin has previously said he would not release that information because of threats against those officers.
“Why is my brother still in jail while the cops who beat him are still working?” sister Antoinette Ramirez said.
A representative with the Salinas Police Department was not available on camera Thursday. But according to new information released on the department website, Velasco’s specified drug-induced psychotic disorder was caused by recent drug use and that, “while Mr. Velasco’s drug use, mental state, criminal record may be relevant in judging his likelihood to be violent, it is not directly relevant to judging the use of force by police.”
“My son didn’t do anything wrong and I think he should be out,” mother Rita Acosta said.
But that will be decided by a judge in July. City attorney Chris Callihan said the city plans to respond the claim within the 45-day time limit. Burris is also representing the families of two men killed in officer-involved shootings in Salinas last year.
